Bolivia Escalates Political Crisis Amid Arrest Warrant for Former Leader Morales

(MENAFN) Tensions in Bolivia intensified on Monday after a court reaffirmed an arrest warrant for former president Evo Morales, prompting warnings from his supporters of widespread unrest, according to reports.

The latest developments come amid an ongoing legal case involving allegations of aggravated human trafficking and statutory rape. Judicial proceedings have been suspended indefinitely, with prosecutors stating that the trial cannot continue until Morales appears in court or is detained by authorities.

Morales, who led Bolivia from 2006 to 2019, has remained in the Chapare region—an area known for coca cultivation and a key base of political support—since late 2024. Reports indicate that thousands of supporters and local farming groups have been stationed in the area, maintaining a protective presence around him and preventing potential arrest operations.

Supporters have issued strong warnings in response to the court’s decision. A prominent coca growers’ leader, Dieter Mendoza, told local media that any attempt to detain the former president could trigger widespread instability, stating that such actions could lead to what he described as a national uprising. He also urged communities in the region to remain on high alert.

The prosecution alleges that the case stems from events during Morales’s time in office, involving a relationship with a minor that reportedly resulted in the birth of a child. According to case documents, the minor’s family is alleged to have agreed to the arrangement in exchange for benefits.

The lead prosecutor confirmed that the trial remains suspended until Morales and other key individuals appear before the court or are brought in by law enforcement. Authorities emphasized that executing the arrest warrant is now the responsibility of the police.

Bolivia’s judiciary has formally declared Morales a fugitive, issuing renewed arrest orders and restrictions preventing him from leaving the country. These measures reinforce earlier warrants issued after he failed to attend a scheduled hearing in early 2025.

The situation has deepened political divisions in the country, with escalating tensions between judicial authorities, law enforcement, and Morales’s support base raising concerns about potential unrest.

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