BOLIVIA yesterday arrested a powerful ex-minister under former president Evo Morales on suspicion of corruption, said prosecutors.

The detainee is Carlos Romero, the former interior minister who was close to Morales, who resigned last November amid protests over a disputed election and fled the country.

A conservative interim government has taken over ahead of presidential voting in May, and several ministers under Morales’ leftist administration have been charged or are under investigation, and have sought refuge in the Mexican embassy.

Romero, 53, has been arrested over the alleged misuse of funds in a government agency tasked with fighting drug trafficking, said prosecutors.

He will now go before a judge, who will determine whether to keep him in custody, release him with charges or place him under house arrest, they added.

From his exile in Argentina, Morales defended Romero.

He said the government of acting president Jeanine Anez “does not want justice, but rather, revenge and impunity”. – AFP, January 15, 2020.