Bolivia orders capture of former president Evo Morales over 2026 road blockades

Evo Morales capture order road blockades terrorism Bolivia

On 29 July 2026 the Bolivian Fiscalía, led by anti‑corruption prosecutor Brayan Melgar, issued a capture order for former president Evo Morales. He is accused of terrorism, armed uprising against state security and sovereignty, attacks on transport and public‑service security, criminal association and public incitement to delinquency. The charges stem from nationwide road blockades that lasted 53 days in May‑June 2026, organized by campesinos in La Paz and the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) and backed by groups aligned with Morales. The protests demanded the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz.

The blockades caused severe shortages of food, fuel and medical oxygen, resulted in at least 16 deaths – 13 of them due to lack of timely medical care – and generated economic losses estimated at over US$3 billion. The legal complaint was filed by the Civic Committee pro Santa Cruz and later supported by Minister of Government Marco Antonio Oviedo. The order also names COB leader Marco Argollo and campesino leader Vicente Salazar, who remain in preventive detention.

Morales has denied any role in prompting the resign‑demand and describes the proceedings as political persecution. He continues to reside in the Chapare region, where he is protected by supporters, while police await the moment to execute the arrest.

Entities: Bolivia · Brayan Melgar · Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) · Edmundo Lara · Evo Morales · José Luis Galvez · Marco Antonio Oviedo · Marco Argollo · Mirko Sokol · Rodrigo Paz · Santa Cruz Civic Committee · Vicente Salazar

Claims

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

[● 12 SOURCES] Bolivia's Santa Cruz prosecutor Brayan Melgar issued a capture order for Evo Morales on 29 July 2026. (July 29 capture order)
[● 12 SOURCES] On 24 May 2026 Evo Morales posted on X that President Paz had “two paths”: militarise the country or call elections within 90 days. (Morales' social‑media post)
[● 12 SOURCES] The capture order accuses Morales of terrorism, armed uprising against state security and sovereignty, attacks on transport and public services, association delictuosa and public incitement to crime. (Charges in capture order)
[● 10 SOURCES] Other individuals charged include Central Obrera Boliviana leader Marco Argollo and farmer leader Vicente Salazar, who has been in preventive detention since 6 July. (named in the capture order)
[● 12 SOURCES] The road blockades lasted about seven weeks in May‑June 2026 and were organized by La Paz peasants and the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) demanding President Rodrigo Paz's resignation. (Blockade duration and organizers)
[● 12 SOURCES] The blockades caused shortages of food, fuel and medical oxygen, at least 16 deaths (13 due to lack of medical care) and economic losses exceeding US$3 billion. (Humanitarian and economic impact)
[● 10 SOURCES] The complaint that led to the capture order was filed by civic leaders in Santa Cruz and later supported by Minister of Government Marco Antonio Oviedo. (stated in the capture‑order filing)
[● 15 SOURCES] The protests lasted about seven weeks, caused shortages of food, fuel and medical oxygen, resulted in at least 16 deaths (13 from lack of medical care) and economic losses exceeding US$3 billion.
[● 17 SOURCES] Bolivia's Prosecutor's Office issued a capture order for Evo Morales on 29 July 2026. (article)
[● 8 SOURCES] Morales has denied the accusations, calling the process political persecution and saying “they will not intimidate us.” (article)
[● 3 SOURCES] A previous capture order exists for Morales related to a case of aggravated child‑trafficking; a judge in Tarija declared him in rebellion for not appearing in court.
[● 15 SOURCES] The charges relate to Morales’s alleged role in road‑blockade protests in May‑June 2026 that demanded President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation.