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The arrest warrant, which still must be approved by a judge, was
issued after Morales defied an order to testify in the case.
Morales, a former coca grower who ruled Bolivia for 13 years
until 2019, has been holed up in the rural area of Chapare,
ringed by loyal supporters, since talk of his arrest first
surfaced in September.
Morales, 65, is alleged to have had a child with a teenage girl
in 2016 a sexual relationship that would have constituted
statutory rape under Bolivian law.
Morales hasn't commented yet on the arrest order but previously
denied any wrongdoing and accused his handpicked successor,
fellow leftist Luis Arce, of conspiring with his enemies to
prevent him from running in next year's presidential election.
It's a dark plan to eliminate me politically and physically,
Morales said previously.
On Monday, police were repelled in a standoff with Morales
supporters, who accused the authorities of acting violently.
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