The Public Ministry of Bolivia issued an arrest warrant against former President Evo Morales for an accusation of “rape and human trafficking” involving a 15-year-old girl in 2015. Morales now faces the decision of either fighting through legal channels by surrendering to the authorities or resisting the arrest.
The order was issued by the regional prosecutor of Tarija, Sandra Gutiérrez, after Morales failed to appear for a hearing. The case was opened by a judge on September 26, just three days after Morales organized a march calling for the resignation of “corrupt” ministers.
Morales denies the accusation and claims to be a victim of judicial persecution led by President Luis Arce’s government. Both leaders belong to the same party, the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), and are competing for the party’s leadership in the 2025 presidential election.
As tensions rise, Morales remains in Cochabamba, his electoral stronghold. The police in the region have not received the order to execute the arrest warrant yet. This is the second arrest warrant issued against Morales by Gutiérrez, with the previous one being canceled after a defense appeal.