# Legal proceedings against Evo Morales and García Linera

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legal-proceedings-against-evo-morales-and-garca-linera
> Updated: 2026-10-12T21:40:51.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

The opposition alliance Libre filed a formal accusation against former Bolivian President Evo Morales and former Vice President Álvaro García Linera regarding the 2009 Hotel Las Américas incident in Santa Cruz. The legal filing alleges crimes against humanity, including summary executions, torture, and illegal detentions, citing findings from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Acting Prosecutor General José Armando Urioste has launched a preliminary investigation into allegations of murder, torture, abuse, and unlawful detention. The probe specifically concerns a 2009 police operation that resulted in the deaths of three foreign citizens: Eduardo Rózsa Flores, Michael Dwyer, and Árpád Magyarosi. Two other individuals, Mario Tadić and Elöd Tóásó, survived the raid and reported being subjected to torture.

Urioste has notified the Supreme Court of Justice to establish a 30-day period for preliminary investigations. If sufficient evidence is gathered, the case must be sent to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly. Under Bolivian law, a trial for former high-ranking officials requires a two-thirds majority vote from the Assembly to proceed before the Supreme Court.

Morales, who is currently in hiding due to other active arrest warrants, has previously denied the allegations and referred to the detained foreigners as ‘mercenaries’. His legal team has since called for ‘impartiality and objectivity’ from the Prosecutor General, arguing that the 2009 intervention was a ‘necessary constitutional action to defend national unity against separatist threats’ and criticizing the accusations as being driven by political interests. Morales has stated he intends to personally defend himself against the allegations.

## Claims

- The charges against the former leaders include murder, torture, mistreatment, and deprivation of liberty. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The investigation concerns a police operation conducted on April 16, 2009, at the Hotel Las Américas in Santa Cruz. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Three foreigners—Eduardo Rózsa Flores, Arpad Magyarosi, and Michael Dwyer—died during the operation. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The legal complaint was filed by legislators Tomasa Yarhui and Rodrigo Antonio. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The investigation targets former president Evo Morales and former vice-president Álvaro García Linera. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Evo Morales's legal team argues the 2009 operation was a constitutional action to prevent separatism. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Evo Morales stated he will personally defend himself and will not hire a lawyer. (single source)
- A trial of responsibilities requires authorization from at least two-thirds of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-12: Evo Morales faces investigation for 2009 Hotel Las Américas case

Bolivia has opened an investigation into former president Evo Morales and ex-vice president Álvaro García Linera regarding a 2009 police raid at the Hotel Las Américas involving deaths and alleged torture.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/evo-morales-and-garca-linera-face-potential-trial-over-hotel-las-amricas-case

### 2026-10-09: Evo Morales faces criminal accusation over 2009 Hotel Las Américas case

Bolivian opposition alliance Libre has filed charges against former President Evo Morales for crimes against humanity related to the 2009 Hotel Las Américas police operation.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/evo-morales-faces-criminal-accusation-over-2009-hotel-las-amricas-case

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Cite as: Legal proceedings against Evo Morales and García Linera. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legal-proceedings-against-evo-morales-and-garca-linera