A Bolivian prosecutor reported that she was dismissed for leading a criminal investigation for human trafficking and smuggling involving former President Evo Morales, in a case that the former president considered to be part of a persecution against him.
Former prosecutor Sandra Gutiérrez, from the southern region of Tarija, told state channel Bolivia TV on Thursday that she was asked in the “rudest way” to drop the case against Morales. “And since I did not do it, I have received my dismissal.”
However, Attorney General Juan Lanchipa assured shortly after that Gutiérrez’s departure was due to the fact that he committed “procedural errors” and “negligence” and confirmed that the investigation against Morales continues.
Because it is a case that involves a minor, the prosecutor did not give details although she explained that she filed an arrest warrant against Morales so that he could appear to testify that it was invalidated by other prosecutors.
Morales, who is in Chapare — a town in central Bolivia where his coca growers’ fiefdom is located — published on Thursday on his X account, formerly Twitter: “It doesn’t surprise me, nor does it worry me! All neoliberal governments, including the current one, threatened me, persecuted me… I am not afraid! “They won’t shut me up!”
It is not the first time that an attempt has been made to file a complaint against Morales. In 2020, the government of then-president Jeanine Áñez accused him after finding photographs on the cell phone of a minor with the former president. None of the processes have prospered.
The defense of the former president (2006-2019) assured that it is a political persecution against Morales, who maintains a strong struggle with the current president Luis Arce for control of the ruling party.
Morales has anticipated that he will run in the 2025 presidential elections for the ruling Movement towards Socialism (MAS), a party fractured between his supporters and those of Arce. For his part, Arce has accused Morales of encouraging protests calling for his resignation.
Carlos Romero, Morales’ lawyer and former government minister, confirmed that there are four other cases open against Morales but did not give details.
The reactivation of the cases against Morales has called into question the questioned Bolivian justice system, which in the coming days must elect a new attorney general and in December the top magistrates through popular vote.
The opposition described the case as a “circus” put on by the MAS. “Do you really think that Evo Morales is going to go to prison?” opposition senator Andrea Barrientos published on her X account.
Political analyst Marcelo Silva pointed out that the fight between Arce and Morales has “damaged democratic institutions, has damaged the economy and has absolutely damaged justice.”
On several occasions international organizations have questioned the lack of independence of the Bolivian justice system.
“This issue further sinks the image of Evo Morales… It is a complicated and delicate issue and I think it is important that it be investigated,” Silva added.
The controversy occurred shortly after the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, withdrew Morales’ political refugee status that his predecessor Alberto Fernández (2019-2023) had granted him in 2019 following a social outbreak due to allegations of electoral fraud that caused his resignation. The conflict left 37 dead.
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