Key Takeaways:
– Evo Morales, former Bolivian President, faces an arrest warrant with possible detention of six months.
– The accusations spring from an alleged incident of ‘trafficking’ a minor.
– Initial attempts to execute the arrest were blocked due to roadblocks initiated by Morales’s supporters.
– Morales could face a prison term of up to 10 to 15 years if the ‘formal charge’ of trafficking goes through.
– The matter dates back to 2015 during Morales’s presidency, resulting in a major scandal in the country’s political circles.
Former Bolivian President Accused
Former President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, could face six months detention. An arrest warrant was issued against him on allegations of trafficking a 15-year-old girl, announced country authorities on Monday. Evo Morales held the presidency of Bolivia between 2006 and 2019.
Detention Request Made by The Attorney General
Roger Mariaca, Bolivia’s Attorney General, confirmed that the move is towards placing Morales under preventive imprisonment for six months in a public jail. This update came hours after the State Public Prosecutor, Sandra Gutierrez, announced her order for Morales’ apprehension for snubbing a complaint about his alleged trafficking of a minor.
Delayed Execution of the Arrest Warrant
The authority to issue the arrest warrant was sanctioned on October 16. However, Gutierrez did not disclose this until late Monday. The delay was due to the case’s complexity and the fact that the accused is a former president. Morales, who is now 65, has denied these allegations multiple times.
Response from Supporters of Evo Morales
Morales’s supporters reacted to these accusations by forming roadblocks on several highways throughout Bolivia just a few days prior to the release of the arrest warrant. These protests stretched over 23 days only fueling more chaos and hindering the police’s efforts to arrest Morales.
Police Actions and Risks Involved
Despite the hurdles, police started operations for Morales’s arrest. They faced severe aggression and even attempts on their lives by blockade protesters. Sandra Gutierrez confirmed the unsettling details of these failed attempts.
Upcoming Legal Proceedings
A formal charge made against Morales could land him in prison for a term ranging from 10 to 15 years. An immigration alert has also been imposed, aimed at preventing Morales and the victim’s mother from leaving the country.
Inception of the Scandal
The scandal dates back to 2015, during Morales’s presidency. The documents from prosecutors claim the victim was placed as Morales’s youth guard by her parents. Their motive, supposedly, was to climb the political ladder and gain benefits in exchange for their underage daughter. This revelation has led to the indictment of the victim’s mother alongside Morales on suspicion of aggravated human trafficking.
Morales’s Response and Legal Challenges
Morales has decried the investigation as a case of statutory rape and not trafficking. A second arrest warrant was issued against him on Monday for the same case. Previously, in September, an arrest warrant ordered by Gutierrez had been halted due to a successful legal appeal made by Morales’s attorneys.
Potential Political Impact
This scandal could directly impact the 2025 presidential elections. Morales has accused the current Bolivian government, led by his former ally President Luis Arce, of using lawfare to preemptively exclude him from the electoral race. This accusation adds another layer of intrigue and conflict to the existing scandal.