Overview
- The Santa Cruz prosecutor issued an arrest order on Wednesday that formally accuses former president Evo Morales of terrorism, alzamiento armado (armed uprising) and several other offenses tied to the May–June road blockades.
- The charge sheet, signed by prosecutor Brayan Melgar, also lists alleged crimes such as attacks on transport and public services, association to commit crimes, and public incitement to offend.
- The legal action grew from a complaint filed by the Comité Pro Santa Cruz that was later joined by the Ministry of Government and extends to union and campesino leaders including the COB chief and detained campesino leader Vicente Salazar.
- Morales rejects the accusations as political persecution and remains in his political stronghold in the Trópico de Cochabamba, where supporters have prevented previous arrest attempts tied to separate investigations.
- The blockades from May to June disrupted supplies, caused deaths and heavy economic losses and the new arrest order raises the risk of deeper political and judicial confrontation that could affect fuel distribution, market access and public order.