Tarija Prosecutor Says Arrest Warrants Carry No Privileges

Tarija’s chief prosecutor, José Ernesto Mogro, says no one receives special treatment under Bolivia’s arrest warrants, including former President Evo Morales.

Mogro spoke after the new commander of the Bolivian Police, Adrián Álvarez, pledged to enforce an arrest warrant against Morales. The former president faces two warrants, one in an aggravated human trafficking case and another related to terrorism.

“I do not want to enter into any kind of conjecture. Judicial orders, requests or arrest warrants are mandatory and there should be no separation between people. Any person or Bolivian who has an arrest warrant must have it enforced like anyone else,” Mogro told EL DEBER.

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I do not want to enter into any kind of conjecture. Judicial orders, requests or arrest warrants are mandatory and there should be no separation between people. Any person or Bolivian who has an arrest warrant must have it enforced like anyone else.

The prosecutor also said the Public Ministry makes no distinctions in its investigations based on a person’s identity, sex, religious beliefs or any other factor. Morales was charged by the Tarija Departmental Prosecutor’s Office in the aggravated human trafficking case and was declared in rebellion after failing to attend the opening hearing of his oral trial on May 11.

Lawmaker Luis Rodrigo Fuenzalida said he doubted the new police commander would fulfill the pledge, but retained hope. “Although I have reservations that this will happen, I also have hope. Evo Morales should not remain free because he has two arrest warrants and should be in prison,” he said.

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Although I have reservations that this will happen, I also have hope. Evo Morales should not remain free because he has two arrest warrants and should be in prison.