Bolivian Authorities Issue Arrest Warrant for Former President Evo Morales

A court in Bolivia has issued an arrest warrant for former President Evo Morales, accusing him of terrorism, armed uprising against the security and sovereignty of the state, and attacks on the safety of means of transport. The charges stem from his alleged role in anti-government protests and road blockades that paralyzed the country for approximately 50 to 53 days during May and June.

The protests, which were supported by farmers, truckers, and indigenous organizations, demanded the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. According to one report, these blockades resulted in severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, caused economic losses exceeding $3 billion, and led to at least 16 deaths—13 of whom reportedly died due to a lack of timely medical care. The legal action was initiated following complaints from the civic group Comit pro Santa Cruz and the Interior Ministry.

Morales, who served as president from 2006 to 2019, has denied the charges, stating on X that the government is attempting to intimidate him to conceal a deep economic and social crisis. He argues that the current administration's model protects corruption while abandoning the people. This latest warrant follows previous legal troubles; Morales is already facing an arrest warrant related to allegations of human trafficking and the statutory rape of a 15-year-old girl, charges he also rejects.

The political landscape has shifted since President Rodrigo Paz took office in November 2025, ending nearly two decades of socialist governance. While center-left sources frame the situation as a clash between a defiant former leader and a government using legal means to suppress dissent during an economic crisis, center-right coverage emphasizes the criminal nature of the unrest and the specific human and economic toll of the blockades.