Evo was visited by girls in Argentina, according to a former associate; more abuse allegations surface.

 The accusation was made by the former president of the Confederation of Intercultural Women, who urged leaders not to stay silent about what they witnessed in the neighboring country. The father of the alleged victim of statutory rape and trafficking involving Evo has been sent to jail in Tarija.

Accusations of statutory rape surround him. Angélica Ponce, one of the intercultural leaders who was close to Evo Morales during his presidency and accompanied him at various political events, made a strong allegation against the coca grower leader. The woman revealed that while the former president was in Argentina as a political refugee (2019-2020) — during Alberto Fernández's presidency — he lived with four underage girls.

"Once again, Bolivian justice must prove that it stands with the victims and not with an executioner who did what he wanted with women’s human rights. It is important to recognize that Evo Morales did live in Argentina with minors, I am a witness to that," Ponce told journalists.

The leader detailed that Morales lived in the neighboring country with "three girls" who were underage and Noemí M., a young woman who was in the spotlight in 2020 after the police revealed compromising photos and text messages obtained from her cell phone. That year, during an operation, investigators stopped an official vehicle from the Cochabamba Governor's Office in which Noemí was traveling. In her statement, she admitted to having a relationship with the former president when she was 16 years old. This was the second case of statutory rape that came to light against the former head of state.

Ponce, before being expelled by representatives of the intercultural group in 2022 for "defaming" the president of the Movement for Socialism (MAS), frequently traveled to Argentina with other leaders and victims of Senkata and Sacaba to visit Evo. Angélica recounted that in the mansion where Morales was staying, the three underage girls seemed like "chiefs of staff" and even "servants," a situation that everyone who visited the house was aware of but did not speak about.

“And if we, the leaders and former authorities who were there, can talk, Evo publicly said that everyone who wanted projects would give him a girl. No one can remain silent anymore, God will see us,” she emphasized.

This accusation aligns with a report from police intelligence services, which informed the Tarija Public Prosecutor's Office about another 15-year-old girl from Yacuiba-Tarija who may have been abused by the former president. As a result of that relationship, they had a daughter together, and the girl frequently traveled to Mexico and Argentina to accompany Evo, all with the consent of the girl’s parents. Because of this, the Prosecutor's Office filed a complaint on September 26, 2024, and later issued an arrest warrant against Morales for the crimes of human trafficking and aggravated statutory rape.

“It has been scientifically established that a minor does not have the psychological, social, and emotional capacity to make decisions regarding their sexual freedom. As a result, the 15-year-old girl did not have the cognitive maturity to choose her sexual partners, much less to understand and handle a pregnancy. This establishes the reckless behavior of her parents, who promoted the circumstances that led to the birth of the child with initials ESMV when their daughter was only 16,” reads part of the report.

As a result of these investigations, the Prosecutor's Office issued an arrest warrant against the girl's parents and Evo Morales. The father was arrested, and on the night of Sunday, October 13, he was sent to Morros Blancos prison in Tarija for four months after being accused of aggravated statutory rape and human trafficking.

The prosecutor of Tarija, Sandra Gutiérrez, reported that during the precautionary hearing, it was proven that Emeterio V.M. was likely responsible for the crimes he is accused of and that there was a flight risk. The prosecutor then declined to provide further details about the arrest warrant for Evo Morales for “strategic reasons,” given that it is a “complex case,” leaving open the possibility of arresting the former president.

On October 10, Evo was supposed to appear before the Tarija Prosecutor's Office to give a statement regarding the accusations against him. However, through his lawyer, Jorge Pérez, he submitted a brief arguing that he would not testify because his rights had been violated and that he would turn to justice in Villa Tunari, where he resides.

Request to Formalize the Complaint

In response to Ponce’s accusation, the Minister of Government, Eduardo Del Castillo, urged the leader to formalize the complaint with the justice system. He also stated that all of these elements would be added to the investigation file.

"All these facts must be investigated. If Ms. Ponce has information, she should submit it to the Bolivian police," the official said from Santa Cruz.

The case broke on September 25 when the police revealed the complaint. Morales did not deny having fathered a child, but he claimed that the case had been closed.