appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Bloomberg

A Bolivian judge ordered the arrest of Evo Morales on Friday, inflicting another blow to the socialist former president’s ambition to run in this year’s election.
The court declared Morales in contempt and also ordered his detention on human-trafficking charges, prosecutor Sandra Gutierrez told reporters.
The judge also ordered freezing Morales’ bank accounts, according to local television station Unitel.
Morales, who is being investigated for allegedly having a child with a minor, did not appear at the court hearing in the city of Tarija, the second time he has failed to appear.
He has repeatedly denied the charges, which he describes as an attempt to torpedo his political ambitions in the August presidential election.
In a social media post on Friday, Morales slammed those “that persecute me and condemn me in record time, a ‘justice’ that is biased and subservient to the Arce government”.

“Morales still has a lot of strength but, generally, I would say he is already a political corpse,” said Carlos Toranzo, a La Paz-based political scientist.
“In politics, you should never say never, but his chances of running are getting ever smaller, and this new detention order is the coup de grace for his nomination.”
Morales’ lawyer, Jorge Perez, told reporters that he will file a motion to annul the judge’s orders.
The former leader is being guarded by large groups of supporters in his home region of Chapare, making it difficult for authorities to detain him. In recent days they have blocked approach roads in the region with mounds of earth and rock.
The Andean nation is being buffeted by a political turmoil after the ruling socialist party split after Morales clashed with President Luis Arce, his former protégé.
The country is also suffering an economic crisis as a shortage of dollars leads to accelerating inflation and scarcity of fuel and other key goods.


18 suspects in 2021 Haiti president’s killing sent to US for trial

New cat species identified in Bolivia, first in over a century

Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro under investigation over alleged corruption

Rubio defends US strikes on boats, warns of drug cartel ‘cancer’

Americas and the Caribbean

Arrest ordered for Bolivian ex-president Morales on human-trafficking charges

Former Bolivian president Evo Morales greets supporters during an event at the Chimore stadium in December. Photo: EPA-EFE

Police block a road to the presidential palace as a supporter of former president Evo Morales shouts during an anti-government protest in La Paz, Bolivia, on Monday. Photo: AP

Evo Morales supporters storm Bolivia military barracks, take hostages

Police launch tear gas to disperse supporters of former president Evo Morales in Parotani, Bolivia, on Friday. Photo: AP

Riot police detain supporters of former Bolivian president Evo Morales during a protest in Parotani on Friday. Photo: AFP

An indigenous supporter of former president Evo Morales trains in the handling of the Huaraca, a wool slingshot used to throw stones, during a road blockade in Parotani, Bolivia, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Bolivia accuses ex-president Morales of ‘staged’ assassination attempt

Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales. File photo: AP

Evo Morales in a vehicle on Sunday. Photo obtained by Reuters

Bolivia’s Morales accuses government after his vehicle was hit by gunfire

Bullet damage on a pickup truck in which former Bolivian president Evo Morales was traveling. Photo: Kawsachun Coca via AFP

Former Bolivian president Evo Morales in a vehicle on Sunday. Photo obtained by Reuters

Bullet holes in the truck. Photo obtained by Reuters

Former president Evo Morales. File photo: AP

Bolivia arrests 17 as failed coup deepens instability

Detained military officer Abel Anibal Aguilar is escorted during a press conference in La Paz, Bolivia, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Police guard the government palace the day after an attempted coup in La Paz, Bolivia, on Thursday. Photo: AP

Supporters of Bolivian President Luis Arce attend a rally at Plaza Murillo in La Paz on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Bolivia coup bid fails after military assault on presidential palace

Military police stand guard outside Quemado Palace at Plaza Murillo in La Paz. Photo: AFP

Bolivia’s President Luis Arce on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

A soldier orders journalists to leave Plaza Murillo in La Paz on Wednesday. Photo: AP

General Juan Jose Zuniga, detained by police. Photo: AP

News

World

Americas

The former leader, who is accused of having a child with a minor, says the allegations are meant to torpedo his bid for a political comeback


The former leader, who is accused of having a child with a minor, says the allegations are meant to torpedo his bid for a political comeback.


Arrest ordered for Bolivian ex-president Morales on human-trafficking charges

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The former leader, who is accused of having a child with a minor, says the allegations are meant to torpedo his bid for a political comeback

The former leader, who is accused of having a child with a minor, says the allegations are meant to torpedo his bid for a political comeback