The Public Ministry of Bolivia announced this Monday (16) that it had requested the arrest of the former president Evo Morales for the crime of trafficking a minor, due to an alleged agreement with the parents of a 15-year-old teenager. The arrest warrant was issued on October 16, but was only released yesterday.
The arrest warrant, which must still be approved by a judge, was issued after Evo disobeyed an order to testify in the case.
Prosecutor Sandra Gutiérrez informed, at a press conference, that she requested Evo’s arrest for the scandal involving the abuse of a minor during his presidential term (2006-2019). She explained that she had not mentioned the case before because it was “very complex”, as it involves a former president – he has already denied the accusations several times.
The scandal dates back to 2015. According to the lawsuit, he became involved with a teenager with whom he allegedly had a daughter in 2016. The prosecution’s thesis points out that the minor’s parents enrolled her in Evo’s “juvenile custody” “with the sole purpose of ascending politically and receiving benefits in exchange for his daughter.”
Due to these facts, the Public Prosecutor’s Office yesterday filed a complaint against Evo and the victim’s mother for the crime of “aggravated human trafficking”. According to the prosecutor’s office, a birth certificate would recognize Evo as the father of the victim’s daughter.
Although the former president previously denied the accusation, arguing that it is based on facts investigated in 2020, under the accusation of rape, the prosecution is now focusing on the accusation of trafficking.
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This is the second arrest warrant issued against Evo for the same case. The prosecutor had already ordered his arrest in September, but a judicial appeal filed by the former president’s defense managed to annul it.”
Evo, a 65-year-old former coca producer, has been taking refuge in rural Chapare, surrounded by loyal supporters, since rumors of his arrest first emerged in September. Police clashed yesterday with his supporters, who accused the authorities of acting brutally.
Elections
Amid the dispute for the leftist candidacy in the 2025 elections, Evo claims that the investigation is a judicial persecution carried out by the government of Luis Arce, his former ally, to “ban” him from participating in the electoral race.
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In recent weeks, Evo and his supporters have organized protests against the Arce government with the aim of pushing for new elections. The former Bolivian president is prohibited by current legislation from running for office again. “It’s a dark plan to remove me from politics and (detain) me physically,” he said.
