Bolivia Issues Arrest Warrant for Former President Luis Arce
A court in La Paz, Bolivia, has issued a five-month pre-trial detention order for former President Luis Arce. The court’s decision followed a request by the Bolivian Attorney General’s Office to prevent Arce from leaving the country.
Judge Elmer Laura, who presides over the case, has accused Arce of dereliction of official duties and causing financial damage to the state. Arce has denied all charges, calling the legal proceedings part of a political campaign against him.
His legal team had earlier requested temporary release on the grounds of his ongoing treatment for cancer and his role as the primary caregiver for his elderly mother. However, the court rejected the request. According to the ruling, Arce will serve his detention in one of La Paz’s prisons.
Luis Arce, a prominent figure of Bolivia’s left-wing political movement, served as president from November 2020 to November 2025. His arrest, prompted by financial misconduct allegations, has sparked widespread reactions among political and social groups. Some observers see the development as a sign of escalating tensions in the country’s political landscape.
