Bolivia issues arrest warrant for ex-president Evo Morales over nationwide protests FAST-MOVING

Evo Morales arrest warrant terrorism road blockades Bolivia

Bolivian prosecutors issued an arrest warrant on 29 July 2026 for former president Evo Morales. The warrant, signed by anti‑corruption prosecutor Brayan Melgar and announced by Attorney General Roger Mariaca, accuses Morales of terrorism, armed uprising, attacks on transportation and public services, criminal association and incitement to crime.

The charges stem from road blockades that lasted about 53 days in May‑June 2026, which halted major transport routes, caused severe shortages of food, fuel and medicines, resulted in at least 16 deaths and generated economic losses exceeding US$3 billion. The protests were triggered by a deep economic crisis and demanded the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. The government declared a state of emergency, deployed the army and used police forces to clear the blockades.

Morales, who remains in the Chapare region under the protection of coca‑grower groups, denounced the warrant as political persecution, posting on social media “No nos van a intimidar” (“They will not intimidate us”). The investigation was launched after a complaint by the Civic Committee Pro Santa Cruz, later supported by the Ministry of Government.

Entities: Brayan Melgar · Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) · Civic Committee Pro Santa Cruz · Evo Morales · Rodrigo Paz · Roger Mariaca

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 9 SOURCES] Anti‑corruption prosecutor Brayan Melgar signed the arrest order. (Melgar signed the warrant.)
[● 8 SOURCES] Evo Morales is accused of terrorism, armed uprising and other crimes linked to the road blockades. (supported_by)
[● 14 SOURCES] The road blockades lasted about 53 days and caused shortages of food, fuel and medicines. (Blockades lasted 53 days in May‑June 2026.)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Prosecutor‑general Roger Mariaca announced the warrant. (public announcement)
[● 8 SOURCES] Economic losses from the blockades exceeded $3 billion. (Losses over $3 bn.)
[● 14 SOURCES] Bolivia's public prosecutor ordered the arrest of former President Evo Morales. (Arrest warrant issued on 29 July 2026.)
[● 2 SOURCES] Police are instructed to capture Morales and transfer him to the Special Police Unit for Anti‑Corruption. (order details)
[● 9 SOURCES] The blockades resulted in at least 16 deaths, 13 of them due to lack of medical care. (16 deaths reported during blockades.)
[● 5 SOURCES] Morales previously faced a 2024 arrest warrant for alleged child trafficking, a charge he denies. (Article reports)
[● 5 SOURCES] The protests involved dozens of road blockades across much of Bolivia for about fifty days. (General prosecutor Rocher Mariaka)
[● 12 SOURCES] President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency and deployed the army alongside police. (supported_by)
[● 5 SOURCES] Bolivia's Attorney General Rocher Mariaka issued a new arrest warrant for former president Evo Morales. (General prosecutor Rocher Mariaka)