Bolivia Opens Inquiry Into Evo Morales Over 2009 Hotel Raid Deaths
Bolivia’s attorney general has launched a preliminary investigation into former president Evo Morales and former vice-president Álvaro García Linera. The case concerns a 2009 police raid in Santa Cruz that killed three Europeans and allegations that two survivors were tortured. Morales, who is in hiding from separate arrest warrants, has not commented on the new inquiry.
Bolivia’s acting attorney general, José Armando Urioste, opened a preliminary inquiry into Evo Morales and former vice-president Álvaro García Linera. A complaint from legislators Tomasa Yarhui and Rodrigo Antonio prompted the move. Urioste told the supreme court that evidence was being collected over alleged murder, torture, abuse and unlawful detention.
The case stems from a 2009 police operation at a Santa Cruz hotel. Three foreigners died: Eduardo Rózsa Flores, Michael Dwyer and Árpád Magyarosi. Two survivors, Mario Tadic and Elöd Tóásó, said they were tortured afterward. Morales’s government had described Rózsa Flores as a separatist backed by Santa Cruz’s rightwing economic elite. In 2021 the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found the state violated human rights.
Count: First para: Bolivia’s(1) acting2 attorney3 general4, José5 Armando6 Urioste7, opened8 a9 preliminary10 inquiry11 into12 Evo13 Morales14 and15 former16 vice-president17 Álvaro18 García19 Linera20. A21 complaint22 from23 legislators24 Tomasa25 Yarhui26 and27 Rodrigo28 Antonio29 prompted30 the31 move32. Urioste33 told34 the35 supreme36 court37 that38 evidence39 was40 being41 collected42 over43 alleged44 murder45, torture46, abuse47 and48 unlawful49 detention50. Second: The51 case52 stems53 from54 a55 2009 56 police57 operation58 at59 a60 Santa61 Cruz62 hotel63. Three64 foreigners65 died66: Eduardo67 Rózsa68 Flores69, Michael70 Dwyer71 and72 Árpád73 Magyarosi74. Two75 survivors76, Mario77 Tadic78
The inquiry may intensify Bolivia’s already polarized politics, affecting Morales’s supporters, his opponents and victims’ families seeking accountability. If pursued, it could shape public debate over past state violence and judicial independence, though its practical reach may be limited while Morales remains in hiding. The case may also influence how Bolivians view human rights protections and the credibility of institutions handling politically sensitive allegations. Any impact will likely depend on evidence, due process and whether authorities can act without appearing selective. Count: The1 inquiry2 may3 intensify4 Bolivia’s5 already6 polarized7 politics8, affecting9 Morales’s10 supporters11, his12 opponents13 and14 victims’15 families16 seeking17 accountability18. If19 pursued20, it21 could22 shape23 public24 debate25 over26 past27 state28 violence29 and30 judicial31 independence32, though33 its34 practical35 reach36 may37 be38 limited39 while40 Morales41 remains42 in43 hiding4