The Bolivian Prosecutor's Office has announced plans to issue an arrest warrant for former President Evo Morales, who led Bolivia from 2006 until 2019. This action seeks to compel him to testify in a probe concerning alleged charges of human trafficking and statutory rape, reportedly involving a minor with whom he allegedly fathered a child.
Tarija's departmental prosecutor, Sandra Gutiérrez, stated that "the next step is to issue an arrest warrant, as Morales and the other parties involved have been properly notified without infringing upon any of their rights," according to EFE news agency.
The allegations against Morales claim the victim was part of a youth group, 'Generación Evo', established during his presidency. Although Morales was due to provide testimony this Friday in Tarija, where the case is under investigation, his legal team submitted a formal request, citing a constitutional ruling that the case should be handled in Cochabamba, Morales's place of residence.
Legal and Political Repercussions
Gutiérrez clarified that Morales and two others are legally in the same predicament due to their failure to justify their absence. She stressed the arrest warrant is essential to ensure the involved parties respond to the legal motions presented by their defense. "No rights are being violated," she insisted.
Supporters of Morales have warned that executing the arrest warrant could trigger nationwide road blockades in protest. The former leader, who has distanced himself from current President Luis Arce's government, described the situation as "political persecution," claiming support from over 200 lawyers ready to defend him pro bono.
Ongoing Allegations and Legal Challenges
The complaint against Morales was filed on September 26, shortly after he led a march in La Paz advocating political and social demands, including his nomination as the "sole candidate" of the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) for the 2025 general elections. The Grupo de Puebla, a left-leaning political and academic organization in Latin America, has voiced concern about what they perceive as a "lawfare campaign" against Morales.
Since 2020, Morales has faced similar accusations. In August 2020, Bolivia's Ministry of Justice investigated him following an anonymous complaint about an alleged romantic relationship with a minor, which reportedly resulted in a child.
The Bolivian press also reported in 2020 another alleged relationship between Morales and a 19-year-old woman, who purportedly began seeing him when she was still underage. Additionally, in 2016, Morales was linked to Gabriela Zapata, a former manager of the Chinese firm CAMC, which received lucrative contracts from the Bolivian state.