Bolivian officials accuse Evo Morales of terrorism, sedition

Bolivia’s interim government accused ousted President Evo Morales of terrorism and sedition on Friday for purportedly organising highway blockades intended to prevent food from reaching some cities.

Acting Interior Minister Arturo Murillo said the complaint relates to a video in which Morales is supposedly heard in a phone call coordinating the blockades from Mexico, where he has been living in exile since being ousted in a dispute over October 20 elections. Murillo said Bolivia’s government is seeking a maximum penalty, which is between 15 and 20 years in prison.

Morales has said the video is a “montage” by his opponents.

Bolivia has been in upheaval since Morales proclaimed himself the election winner despite widespread protests over allegations of electoral fraud.

Morales resigned on November 10, after the military suggested he do so. He alleges he is the victim of a coup. Thirty-two people have been killed in protests and unrest.

The interim government also accused a former minister, Juan Ramon Quintana, of the same offences.

Juan Lanchipa, Bolivia’s attorney general, confirmed that an investigation into the ex-president and the recording has been launched.

“This audio will be verified in Argentina, and we’re also asking the telecom company to confirm where the call comes from,” he said.

The blockades in Bolivia have hindered the free flow of goods throughout the country, in particular, La Paz, where the government is located.

Earlier on Friday, members of Morales’ party and the opposition said they are nearing an agreement to call new elections that apparently will not include the participation of Morales.

“We have advanced 95 percent on the agreement and we are really trying to progress as quickly as possible with all the political forces to call elections,” Omar Aguilar, a senator with Morales’ Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), told the Associated Press.

Opposition Senator Shirley Franco told reporters that neither Morales nor his vice president, Alvaro Garcia Linera, will be allowed to run. The exclusion is meant to honour the results of a 2016 referendum that rejected Morales’ bid to change the constitution so he could seek a fourth term.

Speaking for himself, and not his party, Aguilar said Morales should not run in the next election. Efrain Chambi, who is also a member of MAS, said that “the constitution should be followed.” He expects the final agreement to be ready by Saturday.

At protests organised by Morales' supporters, people are no longer calling for his return. Instead, they are demanding interim president Jeanine Anez resign over the killings and the use of the military to repress protests.