Former Bolivian President Evo Morales is facing renewed legal troubles as authorities pursue charges of aggravated human trafficking, linked to allegations of a relationship with a minor. The accusations, which Morales has vehemently denied, add another layer to the political strife surrounding the ex-leader, who remains a polarising figure in Bolivia.

Bolivian prosecutors on December 16 confirmed an "outstanding" arrest warrant for Morales, citing his failure to comply with a summons to testify. The case stems from accusations that the leftist firebrand, while serving as president, maintained a relationship with a 14-year-old girl, who allegedly gave birth to his child at the age of 16.

"There is nothing political here. We are protecting the rights of a person who, tragically, has been abused. And this with the approval of his parents, unfortunately," said Sandra Gutiérrez, the prosecutor leading the case in Tarija.

The girl's mother, Idelsa Pozo Saavedra, also faces charges for purportedly facilitating the relationship in exchange for personal benefits. The young woman, reportedly involved in "Generación Evo," a political youth group created during Morales’ presidency, is now at the centre of this investigation.

Efforts to execute the arrest warrant, however, have been hampered by logistical and security challenges. Morales resides in the Chapare region, a stronghold of his political supporters, where road blockades and protests have created significant operational risks for law enforcement. The region, a hub for coca cultivation, has seen tensions escalate between local groups and government forces.

Morales has long brushed off allegations of narcotrafficking ties in the Chapare. But authorities dismantled 37 cocaine labs nationwide in 2024, with 27 located in this region, where Morales reportedly oversees coca growers unions. Commenting on recent developments, Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo criticised the former president, claiming he could not be oblivious to illicit activities under his watch.

Last week's extradition of Maximiliano “Macho” Dávila, a former anti-drugs chief during Morales’s presidency, to the United States has added weight to these accusations. Dávila, accused of running a cocaine-smuggling network to Brazil and the US, allegedly left a letter implicating key figures in the Chapare’s drug trade loyal to Morales.

Opposition leaders, including right-wing former president Jorge Quiroga, argue that Morales not only actively protected coca cultivation, but facilitated cocaine production. In turn, Morales’ allies reject the claims while accusing President Luis Arce’s government of succumbing to foreign pressure.

The political backdrop of these accusations cannot be ignored. Morales has accused the administration of President Arce, a former ally, of orchestrating a campaign to undermine him politically ahead of the 2025 elections. He claims these legal actions are part of a broader strategy of “moral assassination” targeting leftist leaders in Latin America.

Broader Implications

The case has reignited debates about the rule of law and political accountability in Bolivia. Critics argue that the accusations reflect deeper fractures within the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, as Morales and Arce vie for influence. 

Meanwhile, tensions in Cochabamba, a large town in Morales' bastion, have escalated in recent months. After violent incidents and accusations of harassment against the government, the police withdrew from the region in late October. Morales' backers claim the government is behind a series of threats and even alleged attempts on his life, including an accusation that chemicals were used to poison him. In response, the Bolivian government plans to return law enforcement to the region in December, aiming to restore order amidst the ongoing political crisis.

Despite these mounting challenges, Morales remains a key figure in Bolivian politics, continuing to rally significant popular support. He claims his political project will survive, even if he has to work outside of MAS. Morales' next steps are poised to shape Bolivia’s political landscape leading up to the August 2025 election just as the country faces galloping inflation, now at its highest in a decade, and fuel shortages.