Bolivian Judge Issues Arrest Warrant for Former President Evo Morales in Sex Abuse Case

Bolivian Judge Issues Arrest Warrant for Former President Evo Morales in Sex Abuse Case

Bolivian Judge Issues Arrest Warrant for Former President Evo Morales in Sex Abuse Case

A Latin American Country Bolivian judge issued a warrant for the arrest of former President Evo Morales on Friday after he failed to attend a court hearing in a case involving allegations of sexual abuse. The case centers around claims that Morales, 65, had a child with a teenage girl in 2016, a relationship that would be considered statutory rape under Bolivian law.

Judge Nelson Rocabado confirmed the arrest order following a hearing in the southern region of Tarija, where the alleged victim resides. The judge stated, “There has been a warrant ordered for his search and arrest.” Morales has repeatedly denied the allegations and has called the charges politically motivated, claiming he is a victim of legal persecution orchestrated by his former ally-turned-political-rival, President Luis Arce.

In December 2024, the Bolivian prosecutor’s office also called for Morales’ detention, but the latest court order adds to the increasing pressure for his arrest. Morales, who continues to enjoy support from many rural and Indigenous Bolivians, has remained in hiding, staying in the headquarters of the coca growers’ unions in Chapare, a region where he once held significant influence. To avoid arrest, he has surrounded himself with multiple security cordons.

Outside the courthouse, a group of women, identifying themselves as mothers, demonstrated with banners that read, “Evo Morales abuser, girls are not to be touched.” The prosecutor in the case, Sandra Gutiérrez, announced plans to investigate whether Morales’ failure to appear in court could constitute a crime.

The case has unfolded amid intense political rivalry between Morales and President Arce, as they vie for control of Bolivia’s ruling party ahead of the 2025 presidential elections. Morales’ defense team has argued that his failure to attend the hearings was due to illness, citing his battle with bronchopneumonia and other heart-related conditions. However, Judge Rocabado dismissed these health claims, stating they were treatable and not an adequate excuse for his absence.

Morales remains a divisive figure in Bolivia. While he enjoys strong backing from certain sectors of society, including the rural and Indigenous populations, opposition leaders and government officials continue to criticize his refusal to face the legal proceedings.

The political tension surrounding the case has further intensified the already fractured relationship between Morales and President Arce’s government, making it a key issue ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

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