Bolivian prosecutor Sandra Gutierrez said that arrest warrant for former President Evo Morales to report to the Ministry of Justice as part of an investigation that is ongoing in case of human trafficking and statutory rape.

“What is appropriate is to issue an arrest warrant because they (Morales and other participants in the investigation) were duly notified without any violation of any of their rights,” said Gutiérrez, prosecutor of the department of the southern region of Tarija, where the case is being tried. investigated case.

According to the complaint filed by Bolivian prosecutors, Morales allegedly committed crimes of human trafficking and statutory rape with a minor with whom he allegedly fathered a child.

The victim allegedly belonged to a youth group created by the former president during his presidency called “Generation Evo”

Evo Morales avoided making a statement

Evo Morales was called to testify today Thursday in Tarija, but his defense filed a memorandum of non-appearance, arguing that there is a constitutional provision that the case must be tried in the central region of Cochabamba, where the former president and leader of the government’s Movement Towards Socialism party ( MAS).

Gutierrez noted that in addition to the former president, two other people who are also under investigation in this case were called to testify, but they also did not appear.

“For all three it will be the same legal situation, since they did not justify their failure to appear.”

The prosecutor explained that “an arrest warrant will be issued so that they can submit their brief” and that they will also respond to the memoranda submitted by Morales’ defense.

Gutierrez said “no rights are being violated,” as Morales and his lawyers said, and said “everything is being done transparently and in accordance with the rule of law.”

Public organizations defend Evo Morales

Civil society organizations linked to Morales warned today that if prosecutors issue an arrest warrant for the former president, they will begin blockades of national roads.

The former Bolivian president, who is estranged from President Luis Arce, said he would defend himself against this “legal battle,” which for him amounts to “political persecution,” and assured that more than 200 lawyers have called him to defend him. “for free”.

The complaint against Morales was filed on September 26 with the Tarija prosecutor’s office, three days after a march led by Evo arrived in La Paz with various demands, including the approval of a party congress in which he was named a “candidate.” unique” MAS for the 2025 general elections.

The Groupe Puebla, a political and academic forum made up of members of Latin America’s political left, has expressed concern about the “campaign by law,” or political prosecution of the MAS leader. (EFE)