Evo Morales continues to face legal issues in Bolivia. The prosecutor of the Tarija department, Sandra Gutiérrez, confirmed on Thursday that an arrest warrant has been issued against him after he failed to appear before the Prosecutor's Office, as reported by Europa Press. Morales was summoned to testify regarding the alleged case of child abuse and human trafficking he is being investigated for.
"We are already working in accordance with the law. What is appropriate is precisely that, issuing the arrest warrant for those who have been duly notified without violating any of their rights. Simply put, the arrest warrant that will be issued is for them to come forward and give their statement," she explained to the media.
Gutiérrez clarified that the measure also affects the parents of the victim, who also did not attend the summons. "Two memorials have been submitted without proper notification," she stated, before affirming that "everything is being done transparently and in compliance with legal norms."
Morales' circle of allies stated that he would not attend the hearing, claiming that his life is in danger. "He has received death threats," they asserted. The potential arrest would further escalate tensions between Morales' supporters and the current president, Luis Arce, who have been embroiled in a longstanding dispute that not only divides Bolivia's left but also raises serious doubts about the immediate political future.
According to the investigation, Morales could be held responsible for a crime of child abuse and human trafficking for incidents that occurred in 2016 when he was president of Bolivia, involving a relationship with a 15-year-old minor that resulted in the birth of a child.