Midfielder Ramiro Vaca, player for Bolívar and one of the top scorers in the Copa Libertadores, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive in a doping control. The Bolivian club announced the news on Tuesday after receiving the official notice from CONMEBOL.

Positive Test After Match Against Sporting Cristal

“Club Bolívar has been notified by CONMEBOL of the provisional suspension of player Ramiro Vaca Ponce, due to a suspected violation of anti-doping regulations,” the club said in a statement. The sample was collected after last Wednesday’s match, when Bolívar faced Sporting Cristal in Peru on Matchday 4 of Group G. The game ended 2-1 in favor of the home side, and Vaca scored Bolívar’s only goal.

The club stated that it has already begun the corresponding legal process and will support the player throughout the proceedings, in accordance with the regulations. “We trust in Ramiro’s integrity and believe he did not knowingly consume any banned substance,” Bolívar added.

In the same statement, the club reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fair play, and expressed confidence that the investigation will clarify the situation. They also noted that, following legal advice, neither the club nor the player will make further comments until the case is resolved.

Prior to the suspension, Vaca featured in Bolívar’s 2-0 win over Aurora in the Bolivian league. He was seen as a key piece ahead of this Thursday’s group-stage clash against Palmeiras in Brazil.

At 25 years old, Ramiro Vaca is Bolívar’s standout player and is currently tied as top scorer in the Libertadores with five goals, alongside Argentina’s Hernán Barcos of Alianza Lima, and Brazil’s Alan Patrick of Internacional de Porto Alegre. He has also worn the number 10 jersey for Bolivia in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.