Bolivia issues second arrest warrant for ex-President Evo Morales

Bolivia's Attorney General's Office has confirmed the issuance of a second arrest warrant for former President Evo Morales. This new warrant stems from an investigation into 53 days of nationwide blockades. Attorney General Róger Mariaca announced that the warrant has been sent to the Bolivian Police for execution, emphasizing that a previous arrest warrant related to a human trafficking case in Tarija remains in effect.

Mariaca explained that the latest warrant was issued by a prosecutor in Santa Cruz after reviewing evidence gathered in the case. The investigation was initiated following a complaint by the pro-Santa Cruz Civic Committee, with the Ministry of Government later joining the proceedings and requesting Morales's arrest. The Attorney General asserted that the assigned prosecutor acted objectively in issuing the resolution.

Regarding the lack of a prior summons for Morales to testify, Mariaca cited Article 226 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This article allows the Public Ministry to issue an arrest warrant without a prior summons under specific circumstances, including sufficient evidence, risk of flight, and the danger of obstructing the investigation. Mariaca reiterated that these conditions were met in Morales's case.

Following the announcement, Evo Morales rejected the warrant via social media, denouncing it as political persecution. He maintains a previous arrest warrant related to alleged aggravated human trafficking charges in the department of Tarija, which is still active and in the hands of the Bolivian Police.