The short version
- Acting Attorney General José Armando Urioste initiated an inquiry into Evo Morales and former Vice President Álvaro García Linera for alleged murder, torture, and unlawful detention.
- The investigation stems from a 2009 police raid in Santa Cruz that killed three European citizens and resulted in the reported torture of two survivors.
- Morales remains in hiding while facing separate active arrest warrants related to recent political unrest and allegations of trafficking a minor.
Bolivia’s highest legal authority has moved to examine the actions of former President Evo Morales concerning a violent police operation that occurred nearly two decades ago. Acting Attorney General José Armando Urioste announced the launch of a preliminary investigation on Monday, marking his first significant action just one week after assuming office. The inquiry focuses on allegations that Morales and his former vice president, Álvaro García Linera, were involved in the murder, torture, and unlawful detention of European citizens during a raid in the city of Santa Cruz in 2009.
The incident under scrutiny took place when police forces stormed a hotel in Santa Cruz. During the operation, three individuals were shot dead: Eduardo Rózsa Flores, who held Bolivian and Croatian citizenship; Michael Dwyer, an Irish national; and Árpád Magyarosi, a citizen of Hungary and Romania. Two other men, Mario Tadic, a Bolivian-Croatian, and Elöd Tóásó from Hungary, survived the raid but reported that they were subjected to torture following their arrest by security forces.
At the time of the 2009 raid, the Morales administration defended the operation by asserting that Rózsa Flores was orchestrating a separatist movement. The government claimed he was receiving financial support from right-wing economic elites based in Santa Cruz. Morales, who was visiting Venezuela when the raid occurred, addressed the press to state that he had ordered the detention of the foreigners, whom he characterized as mercenaries acting against the state.
The current legal push follows a formal complaint filed by lawmakers Tomasa Yarhui and Rodrigo Antonio, both associated with right-wing political factions. In a letter submitted to the supreme court, Urioste indicated that authorities are actively gathering evidence to support charges of murder, abuse, torture, and unlawful detention against Morales and García Linera. This development signals a potential shift in how historical human rights violations are addressed under the current administration.
International bodies have previously weighed in on the case. Family members of the victims and the survivors themselves brought their grievances before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. In 2021, the commission concluded that the Bolivian government had violated human rights during the incident. This earlier finding provides a foundational context for the domestic legal proceedings now being initiated by Urioste’s office.
Neither Morales nor García Linera has issued public comments regarding the new investigation. Morales, who made history as Bolivia’s first Indigenous president, is currently not present in the country. He remains in hiding to avoid custody related to two separate active arrest warrants issued against him. These existing legal threats complicate any potential cooperation or formal response from the former leader.
One of the outstanding warrants relates to Morales’ alleged role in massive protests that paralyzed Bolivia for 53 days earlier this year. The other warrant accuses him of trafficking a minor with whom he is said to have had a daughter. Morales has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining his innocence regarding both the recent political unrest and the personal accusations. His absence from Bolivia limits the immediate procedural options available to prosecutors.
The timing of this investigation highlights the ongoing legal and political vulnerabilities facing former leaders in Bolivia. Urioste’s decision to pursue charges for events dating back seventeen years suggests a broader effort to address historical accountability. However, the success of the inquiry will depend on the availability of evidence and the ability to secure Morales’ presence or extradition, given his current status as a fugitive from justice.
As the attorney general’s office gathers evidence, the case remains in its preliminary stages. The legal process may take considerable time, especially given the complexity of international human rights law and the logistical challenges posed by Morales’ location. The outcome could have significant implications for Bolivia’s political landscape and its approach to transitional justice.
Observers will watch closely to see how the supreme court responds to Urioste’s letter and whether it authorizes further investigative steps. The case underscores the persistent tensions between different political factions in Bolivia and the long shadow cast by events from Morales’ tenure. For now, the investigation stands as a formal acknowledgment of past grievances without yet determining legal culpability.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Bolivia investigates ex-president Evo Morales over alleged ties to 2009 killings
