Bolivia Investigates Former President Evo Morales for Alleged Rape of Minor
Bolivian authorities have launched an investigation into former president Evo Morales, who is accused of raping a minor during his presidency. The allegations involve a 15-year-old girl, with whom Morales is said to have fathered a child in 2017. Justice Minister César Siles confirmed the investigation, expressing indignation over the reported crimes. The case has sparked significant public interest and controversy, especially as it unfolds amidst ongoing political tensions between Morales and current President Luis Arce, who succeeded him in 2020.
The Attorney General, Juan Lanchipa, confirmed the investigation while also dismissing the prosecutor who had initially issued an arrest warrant against Morales. Lanchipa stated that the dismissal was due to negligence rather than an attempt to shield Morales from prosecution. Morales responded defiantly on social media, asserting that he is not afraid of the allegations and framing them as politically motivated attacks by neoliberal governments.
Morales, who governed Bolivia from 2006 to 2019, has faced multiple legal challenges since leaving office. His political future appears precarious as he seeks to maintain influence within the left-wing party he once led, especially with the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for August 2025. The former president's supporters claim that the current government is using the legal system to undermine him politically.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, there has been no formal complaint from the alleged victim, as statutory rape cases in Bolivia require a complaint from the victim or their guardians to proceed. The controversy surrounding Morales is compounded by previous allegations of similar nature, including a case from 2016 involving a different minor. As the investigation unfolds, the public and political ramifications for Morales remain uncertain.
