Bolivia says former president Evo Morales will face justice amid state of emergency

The Bolivian government announced that former president Evo Morales will be brought before the courts, signalling a possible security operation against his Chapare stronghold. The statement came hours after President Luis Arce declared a state of emergency, a measure that permits the deployment of the army inside the country to restore order.

Interior Minister Marco Antonio Obiedo told the Unitel network that forces will enter Chapare if required, adding that Morales and those labeled as "narco‑terrorists" will be held accountable under the law. The government accuses Morales of inciting the ongoing road blockades and mass protests that have lasted more than six weeks, and of involvement in an alleged child‑trafficking case for which an arrest warrant is pending.

Protests by rural workers and other groups continue despite the emergency, with strikes over fuel subsidies and demands for the president’s resignation. The announcement marks a further escalation in the political crisis that has seen widespread disruptions to fuel and food supplies across Bolivia.