Bolivia accuses Evo Morales of leading a drug cartel from Cochabamba's Tropic region
The Bolivian Government points to former president Evo Morales as the head of a drug trafficking network that allegedly financed the 2026 roadblocks, with more than eight million Bolivianos mobilised.
Bolivian Government identifies Morales as head of organised crime operation
The Bolivian Government accused former president Evo Morales on Wednesday of leading an organisation linked to drug trafficking that allegedly operates from the Cochabamba Tropic region, in the centre of the country. According to diario.elmundo.sv, the authorities also attribute to him the use of resources from that region to finance the roadblocks registered between May and June 2026 against President Rodrigo Paz.
Minister Oviedo points to total control over the region
Government Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo made the accusations during an interview with radio Erbol. Oviedo claimed that Morales—who governed Bolivia between 2006 and 2019—controls drug production from the Cochabamba Tropic, one of the main coca-leaf producing areas and the traditional political stronghold of the former ruler.
"Who ordered the roadblocks? Who was sending money from the Tropic? Nothing moves in the Tropic, not even a fly, unless Evo Morales orders it," the minister declared, directly holding the former governor responsible for both the organisation and financing of the mobilisations.
Over eight million Bolivianos detected during operations
During police operations deployed in the framework of the roadblocks, authorities identified movements of more than eight million Bolivianos from that region, according to Oviedo. The minister maintained that those funds were intended to sustain the protests demanding President Paz's resignation.
"The criminal and savage roadblocks that occurred over 53 days were financed from that sector," Oviedo stated. The official also pointed to peasant organisations, including the Tupac Katari federation of La Paz, as economic contributors to the demonstrations.
Sixteen dead after weeks of conflict
Between May and June, peasant organisations, the Bolivian Workers' Centre (COB) and sectors allied to Morales led mobilisations and road blockades to demand the departure of Rodrigo Paz, whom they held responsible for not addressing the country's economic crisis. The conflict left 16 people dead, mostly from lack of medical assistance resulting from the closure of the roads.
During the mobilisations, Morales publicly stated that the president had "two paths": to "militarise" the country or to call elections within ninety days "to avoid conflicts with dead and wounded".
Prosecutor issues arrest warrant for armed insurrection and terrorism
Following the conclusion of the protests, the Prosecutor's Office opened a criminal investigation against the former ruler for the crimes of armed insurrection and terrorism, attributing to him the leadership of the mobilisations. In the framework of that process, an arrest warrant was issued against him.
Second detention order for aggravated human trafficking
Morales also faces a separate detention order linked to an investigation for aggravated human trafficking. In that process he is accused of allegedly maintaining a relationship with a minor during his term in office and of fathering a child with her in 2016.
As a result of that case, the former president has remained in the Cochabamba Tropic since October 2024, where his supporters maintain a permanent vigil to prevent his arrest. The Government's new accusations are thus added to the set of judicial processes that already weigh on Morales.
Source: Google News BO — Crime