Bolivia orders arrest of Evo Morales over abuse allegations

A Bolivian judge has issued an arrest warrant for former President Evo Morales due to allegations of sexual abuse and human trafficking involving a teenage girl during his presidency. This ruling follows Morales' failure to appear in court for a pre-trial hearing, which he attributed to health issues. The judge ordered the freezing of Morales' assets and banned him from leaving the country, amid claims that he fathered a child with the girl after allegedly abusing her in 2015. Morales has denied the allegations, alleging political persecution ahead of the upcoming 2025 elections, and has accused the current government of bias against him. The case has sparked protests from Morales' supporters, highlighting the ongoing political tensions in Bolivia. The charges carry a potential prison sentence of 10 to 15 years if he is convicted.