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Former Bolivia's President Evo Morales points to a bullet hole on his car that he claims was the result of an assassination attempt, in Lauca N, Chapare region, Bolivia, November 3, 2024, amid an ongoing political conflict with the government of President Luis Arce
PROSECUTORS in Bolivia sought the arrest of former President Evo Morales on Monday in connection to a sexual abuse investigation involving his alleged fathering of a child with a 15-year-old girl.
The arrest warrant, which still must be approved by a judge, was issued after Mr Morales defied an order to testify in the case. His supporters say the charge is political.
Mr Morales, who governed Bolivia for 13 years until overthrown in a military coup in 2019, has been holed up in the rural area of Cdayhapare, ringed by loyal supporters, as a political standoff with the government drags on.
He is alleged to have had a child with a teenage girl in 2016 — a sexual relationship that would have constituted statutory rape under Bolivian law.
Mr Morales hasn’t commented yet on the arrest order but previously denied any wrongdoing and accused his successor, fellow leftist Luis Arce, of conspiring with his enemies to prevent him from running in next year's presidential election.
