Arce Carpio went on to become a judge, later serving as General Counsel of the Presidency and congressman in Bolivia.
In the field of politics, Arce Carpio held various positions in the first government of Hugo Banzer Suárez, including Minister of Government, Justice, and Immigration, and Minister Without Portfolio.
In 1987, he was involved in a drug scandal, which led to his suspension from membership in the Nationalist Democratic Action (DNA).