Former Bolivian President Evo Morales is escalating tensions as he faces a legal investigation into allegations of human trafficking and statutory rape. Morales, entrenched in his political stronghold in the Chapare region, has warned of roadblocks and protests if authorities proceed with his arrest.

The charges against Morales stem from accusations that he had an illicit relationship with a minor during his presidency, resulting in a child. The outspoken leftist leader, currently barricaded in a coca plantation in Chapare, denies the allegations, calling them "politically motivated" and part of a broader campaign led by President Luis Arce, a former ally, to undermine him. He insists that these accusations are an attempt to weaken the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) ahead of next year’s presidential elections.

Bolivian prosecutor Sandra Gutiérrez has issued an arrest warrant after Morales failed to appear for questioning. She stressed that the legal process is moving forward, despite Morales’ refusal to cooperate. His supporters in the coca-growing regions have vowed to resist any attempt to detain him, warning of potential unrest across the country.

The confrontation is part of a deeper political rift within MAS, with Morales and Arce locked in a power struggle. Morales, who remains a significant figure in Bolivian politics, has accused Arce of orchestrating a judicial offensive against him, while Arce’s allies argue that Morales is trying to play the victim to regain political relevance.

As tensions rise, Bolivia faces the prospect of major disruptions, with Morales’ supporters threatening nationwide roadblocks. The stakes are high, with next year’s elections on the horizon and the MAS party divided, leaving the country in a precarious situation as it grapples with an unprecedented economic crisis.