Evo Morales faces arrest warrant over Bolivia protests

Bolivian prosecutors issued an arrest warrant on July 29 for former president Evo Morales, accusing him of fomenting recent protests that paralyzed the country.

Attorney General Roger Mariaca said the warrant was linked to an investigation into dozens of roadblocks erected during large anti-government demonstrations in May and June. The protests caused severe fuel, food and medicine shortages in some cities.

The movement began with workers and Indigenous communities voicing grievances over Bolivia's economic crisis, then escalated to demands for the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. Paz has accused Morales of orchestrating the unrest.

The investigation followed an "armed uprising" and "terrorism" complaint filed by a right-wing conglomerate of civic leaders and businesses against Morales, trade unionist Mario Argollo and Indigenous figure Vicente Salazar. A section of the government later joined the complaint.

Paz has also accused Morales of drug trafficking, without providing evidence.

Morales, Bolivia's first Indigenous leader, is in hiding in his political stronghold of Chapare while facing separate charges of trafficking a minor. He is accused of having relations with a 15-year-old girl and allegedly fathering a child while in power. The teenager's parents allegedly consented to the relationship in exchange for benefits. Morales denies the allegations.

Paz previously said he was planning an operation in Chapare, without specifying when. His government declared a state of emergency in June, allowing the army to be deployed and demonstrations to be outlawed.

Paz took office last year promising to revive the economy after two decades of socialist rule. His cost-cutting program has faced opposition from trade unions, farmers and Indigenous organizations.

Morales told AFP in June that Paz's neoliberal policies were "stoking a civil war." He said there was "no reason to intervene" in Chapare.