Latest news with #Morales'
Indianapolis Star
29-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Diego Morales' companion on India trip promoted EB-5 visas to investors while being paid by state
One of Secretary of State Diego Morales' companions on his eyebrow-raising March trip to India — who was being paid by taxpayers for a no-bid business consulting contract with Morales' office — appeared to use part of the overseas trip to promote his own private business interests, advertising a 'fast-track route to U.S. residency' to would-be foreign investors. Hamilton County Republican Party Treasurer Raju Chinthala's consulting firm, Chinthala and Associates, was paid $8,000 monthly through a 10-month contract with the secretary of state's office to 'investigate and coordinate international business promotion engagements and initiatives' and help advise Morales' office. The former congressional candidate's contract covered the period of the India trip, which Morales' office described as an economic development trip, and Chinthala was pictured at meetings and events with Morales throughout the duration of the trip. More: Secretary of State Diego Morales gets flak for overseas travel. Is he breaking any rules? At the same time, Chinthala appeared to spend at least part of the trip seeking foreign investment of at least $800,000 to fund an unspecified Fairfield Inn & Suites hotel project back in Indiana. He advertised the controversial EB-5 visa program that President Trump's administration has proposed scrapping in favor of his "Gold Card" idea as part of his larger transformation of the U.S. immigration system. "I'll be in Hyderabad until March 29 if you'd like to meet to discuss #EB5," Chinthala posted on social media during the March trip. Participation in the EB-5 visa program has dropped sharply in recent years and the U.S. government has said the program presents "unique fraud and national security risks." While the India trip occurred months ago, Morales' frequent non-taxpayer-funded travels have continued to be the subject of bipartisan scrutiny at the Statehouse, amid questions about how such trips are funded. He recently spent 15 minutes defending himself during a routine motor vehicle meeting. This particular trip was initially privately funded by an undisclosed business, Morales has said, but he previously told Fort Wayne radio station WOWO that he paid back the funder amid public scrutiny. IndyStar's request for records associated with the trip's expenses were denied by the office because it "was not sponsored, organized, arranged or paid for by the office or the state." But during the trip, Morales was referred to as Indiana's secretary of state while speaking at two tech conferences, and met with several foreign dignitaries including the mayor of Hyderabad, members of Parliament and governor of Telangana. Meanwhile, it's unclear how Chinthala divided his time during the trip between state business and personal ventures. His contract with the state specified he was supposed to put forth about 20 hours' of effort per week on state business. He said he has "never used state resources to conduct any EB-5-related activities" and said he did not discuss EB-5 visas with Morales or his staff. Chinthala, who also founded the Indiana-India Business Council, described the India trip as 'primarily a personal visit' but acknowledged that he 'did assist in the planning and coordination of the secretary's conference attendance and other various meetings.' "At all times, I have remained mindful of the importance of transparency and integrity in public service," Chinthala said. "The responsibilities I undertook for the state and my personal efforts have remained clearly separated." Morales' office told IndyStar that he "was not aware or involved in any conversations related to the promotion of EB-5 visas." Still, the arrangement raised concerns with two government ethics experts contacted by IndyStar. While government contractors often work on behalf of other clients and businesses, there's ethical considerations about doing so at the same time. Indiana government employees, for example, are required to avoid outside employment that would conflict with state property, time or information, or use their position in state government to secure privileges that wouldn't be available to the average citizen. 'It's a bit like double-dipping,' said Julia Vaughn, director of government watchdog group Common Cause Indiana. 'It appears the secretary of state likes to surround himself with people who certainly aren't afraid to mix personal business with the state's business. You can't serve two masters well. It's not an appropriate setup to ensure the citizens get what (Chinthala) is getting paid for.' Morales' office pushed back on that. "The contractor was not exclusively employed by the office, or subject to restrictions on other activities or engagements, or privy to confidential information," spokeswoman Lindsey Eaton said in a statement. Chinthala started promoting the EB-5 efforts in late February. A now-deactivated Facebook page for an entity called Elite EB-5 Advisors described itself as a Carmel-based 'advisory service' where Chinthala advertises he can help investors 'bypass long wait times' and 'avoid delays' in getting U.S. residency. 'Let me guide you through this life-changing opportunity,' the entity posted Feb. 20, along with Chinthala's contact information. Chinthala confirmed he "unpublished" the page following IndyStar's inquiries. Scrutiny on the EB-5 program has ramped up in recent years before Trump proposed scrapping it. In fact, Indiana's former Secretary of State Connie Lawson in 2016 issued a set of warning signs for potential foreign investors, saying "no investment promoter should ever promise a visa or permanent residency in exchange for an EB-5 investment," as the program doesn't guarantee a visa will be issued, and that "claims of guaranteed returns or low/no investment risk are classic red flags." Chinthala's social media posts include promotion of a "expedited green card" and a "total payout of $992,000 after five years" in exchange for an $800,000 investment. One of the posts tells investors to 'HURRY!' to make an investment in a hotel project in Indiana. The post states there's a $60,000 administration fee and more than $51,000 in immigration and attorney fees. It's unclear which Fairfield Inn and Suites project for which the investment was sought. Chinthala did not respond to that question, but one of his social media posts says that the hotel is being built by a 'proven sponsor' experienced in building multiple hotels. There are at least four Fairfield Inn and Suites projects being built in Indiana, including in Lebanon, Crown Point, Crawfordsville and near Whitestown. Elite EB-5 Advisors said it guides 'high-net-worth' individuals and families through the EB-5 visa process, ensuring a 'smooth and successful' path to U.S. residency. When contacted by IndyStar about his EB-5 promotion activities, Chinthala described his work to IndyStar as 'limited, educational guidance to individuals inquiring about the EB-5 visa program.' He said it's not affiliated with Chinthala & Associates, is not a registered business entity and has had no financial activity or revenue. 'My involvement has been informational in nature and intended to help connect interested parties with appropriate licensed professionals,' he said. Chinthala hasn't appeared to promote the EB-5 investment opportunity on social media after the conclusion of the India trip. "I discontinued those educational efforts after my India trip, as there was no interest from potential investors," he told IndyStar via email. Meanwhile, it's unclear how much of the proposed scope of services that Chinthala's consulting firm was supposed to deliver to the secretary of state's office ever came to fruition. He inked his state consulting contract last fall and it expired June 30. The firm's contract said Chinthala was supposed to 'lead establishment of a non-profit Indiana International business promotion foundation.' But Morales' office said it had not pursued that proposal. 'It was only a proposal of services from Chinthala & Associates that could have been provided,' Eaton, Morales' spokeswoman, told IndyStar. Chinthala's contract also included the development of a 'business directory and community engagement online application program." The office did not directly respond when asked if that was completed, but said 'deliverables reflect the contract's intent to elevate Indiana's business environment and connect Hoosier businesses to international opportunities.' 'Since the start of the collaboration with Chinthala & Associates, the Indiana secretary of state's office has benefitted from strategic advisement and hands-on support aimed at strengthening our business outreach and international engagement efforts,' Eaton told IndyStar. 'The engagement included knowledge transfer and coaching on business development and business constituent services.' Chinthala, in his statement said he was 'honored to have served as a contractor to the Indiana secretary of state's office from September 2024 through June 2025.' 'During this engagement, I provided strategic support in several key areas, including business outreach, relationship-building with chambers of commerce, consulates, and coordination with sister city organizations to advance Indiana's engagement efforts,' Chinthala said. Though two ethics experts contacted by IndyStar flagged potential issues with the situation, neither alleged it ran afoul of Indiana code. Abraham Schwab, a Purdue University Fort Wayne professor who is an expert in applied ethics, said "in an ideal world" a state contractor wouldn't be working on his private business interests while being paid by the state and traveling with a state official. Arrangements like this have the potential to erode the public's trust in state government, he said, but Schwab pointed out that the practice appears to be common throughout state government. For example, one consequence of having a part-time legislature means that elected officials are often working on behalf of their own financial interests while simultaneously serving the state, Schwab said, which has created other ethical issues in the past. "Just because it's common, doesn't mean it's correct," Schwab said. However, Chinthala pushed back on "any implication or narrative suggesting misuse of public office or a conflict of interest." That is "entirely false," he said. "I remain committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics, transparency and integrity in all my professional and public service efforts," Chinthala said.
Indianapolis Star
29-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Diego Morales' companion on India trip promoted EB-5 visas to investors while being paid by state
One of Secretary of State Diego Morales' companions on his eyebrow-raising March trip to India — who was being paid by taxpayers for a no-bid business consulting contract with Morales' office — appeared to use part of the overseas trip to promote his own private business interests, advertising a 'fast-track route to U.S. residency' to would-be foreign investors. Hamilton County Republican Party Treasurer Raju Chinthala's consulting firm, Chinthala and Associates, was paid $8,000 monthly through a 10-month contract with the secretary of state's office to 'investigate and coordinate international business promotion engagements and initiatives' and help advise Morales' office. The former congressional candidate's contract covered the period of the India trip, which Morales' office described as an economic development trip, and Chinthala was pictured at meetings and events with Morales throughout the duration of the trip. More: Secretary of State Diego Morales gets flak for overseas travel. Is he breaking any rules? At the same time, Chinthala appeared to spend at least part of the trip seeking foreign investment of at least $800,000 to fund an unspecified Fairfield Inn & Suites hotel project back in Indiana. He advertised the controversial EB-5 visa program that President Trump's administration has proposed scrapping in favor of his "Gold Card" idea as part of his larger transformation of the U.S. immigration system. "I'll be in Hyderabad until March 29 if you'd like to meet to discuss #EB5," Chinthala posted on social media during the March trip. Participation in the EB-5 visa program has dropped sharply in recent years and the U.S. government has said the program presents "unique fraud and national security risks." While the India trip occurred months ago, Morales' frequent non-taxpayer-funded travels have continued to be the subject of bipartisan scrutiny at the Statehouse, amid questions about how such trips are funded. He recently spent 15 minutes defending himself during a routine motor vehicle meeting. This particular trip was initially privately funded by an undisclosed business, Morales has said, but he previously told Fort Wayne radio station WOWO that he paid back the funder amid public scrutiny. IndyStar's request for records associated with the trip's expenses were denied by the office because it "was not sponsored, organized, arranged or paid for by the office or the state." But during the trip, Morales was referred to as Indiana's secretary of state while speaking at two tech conferences, and met with several foreign dignitaries including the mayor of Hyderabad, members of Parliament and governor of Telangana. Meanwhile, it's unclear how Chinthala divided his time during the trip between state business and personal ventures. His contract with the state specified he was supposed to put forth about 20 hours' of effort per week on state business. He said he has "never used state resources to conduct any EB-5-related activities" and said he did not discuss EB-5 visas with Morales or his staff. Chinthala, who also founded the Indiana-India Business Council, described the India trip as 'primarily a personal visit' but acknowledged that he 'did assist in the planning and coordination of the secretary's conference attendance and other various meetings.' "At all times, I have remained mindful of the importance of transparency and integrity in public service," Chinthala said. "The responsibilities I undertook for the state and my personal efforts have remained clearly separated." Morales' office told IndyStar that he "was not aware or involved in any conversations related to the promotion of EB-5 visas." Still, the arrangement raised concerns with two government ethics experts contacted by IndyStar. While government contractors often work on behalf of other clients and businesses, there's ethical considerations about doing so at the same time. Indiana government employees, for example, are required to avoid outside employment that would conflict with state property, time or information, or use their position in state government to secure privileges that wouldn't be available to the average citizen. 'It's a bit like double-dipping,' said Julia Vaughn, director of government watchdog group Common Cause Indiana. 'It appears the secretary of state likes to surround himself with people who certainly aren't afraid to mix personal business with the state's business. You can't serve two masters well. It's not an appropriate setup to ensure the citizens get what (Chinthala) is getting paid for.' Morales' office pushed back on that. "The contractor was not exclusively employed by the office, or subject to restrictions on other activities or engagements, or privy to confidential information," spokeswoman Lindsey Eaton said in a statement. Chinthala started promoting the EB-5 efforts in late February. A now-deactivated Facebook page for an entity called Elite EB-5 Advisors described itself as a Carmel-based 'advisory service' where Chinthala advertises he can help investors 'bypass long wait times' and 'avoid delays' in getting U.S. residency. 'Let me guide you through this life-changing opportunity,' the entity posted Feb. 20, along with Chinthala's contact information. Chinthala confirmed he "unpublished" the page following IndyStar's inquiries. Scrutiny on the EB-5 program has ramped up in recent years before Trump proposed scrapping it. In fact, Indiana's former Secretary of State Connie Lawson in 2016 issued a set of warning signs for potential foreign investors, saying "no investment promoter should ever promise a visa or permanent residency in exchange for an EB-5 investment," as the program doesn't guarantee a visa will be issued, and that "claims of guaranteed returns or low/no investment risk are classic red flags." Chinthala's social media posts include promotion of a "expedited green card" and a "total payout of $992,000 after five years" in exchange for an $800,000 investment. One of the posts tells investors to 'HURRY!' to make an investment in a hotel project in Indiana. The post states there's a $60,000 administration fee and more than $51,000 in immigration and attorney fees. It's unclear which Fairfield Inn and Suites project for which the investment was sought. Chinthala did not respond to that question, but one of his social media posts says that the hotel is being built by a 'proven sponsor' experienced in building multiple hotels. There are at least four Fairfield Inn and Suites projects being built in Indiana, including in Lebanon, Crown Point, Crawfordsville and near Whitestown. Elite EB-5 Advisors said it guides 'high-net-worth' individuals and families through the EB-5 visa process, ensuring a 'smooth and successful' path to U.S. residency. When contacted by IndyStar about his EB-5 promotion activities, Chinthala described his work to IndyStar as 'limited, educational guidance to individuals inquiring about the EB-5 visa program.' He said it's not affiliated with Chinthala & Associates, is not a registered business entity and has had no financial activity or revenue. 'My involvement has been informational in nature and intended to help connect interested parties with appropriate licensed professionals,' he said. Chinthala hasn't appeared to promote the EB-5 investment opportunity on social media after the conclusion of the India trip. "I discontinued those educational efforts after my India trip, as there was no interest from potential investors," he told IndyStar via email. Meanwhile, it's unclear how much of the proposed scope of services that Chinthala's consulting firm was supposed to deliver to the secretary of state's office ever came to fruition. He inked his state consulting contract last fall and it expired June 30. The firm's contract said Chinthala was supposed to 'lead establishment of a non-profit Indiana International business promotion foundation.' But Morales' office said it had not pursued that proposal. 'It was only a proposal of services from Chinthala & Associates that could have been provided,' Eaton, Morales' spokeswoman, told IndyStar. Chinthala's contract also included the development of a 'business directory and community engagement online application program." The office did not directly respond when asked if that was completed, but said 'deliverables reflect the contract's intent to elevate Indiana's business environment and connect Hoosier businesses to international opportunities.' 'Since the start of the collaboration with Chinthala & Associates, the Indiana secretary of state's office has benefitted from strategic advisement and hands-on support aimed at strengthening our business outreach and international engagement efforts,' Eaton told IndyStar. 'The engagement included knowledge transfer and coaching on business development and business constituent services.' Chinthala, in his statement said he was 'honored to have served as a contractor to the Indiana secretary of state's office from September 2024 through June 2025.' 'During this engagement, I provided strategic support in several key areas, including business outreach, relationship-building with chambers of commerce, consulates, and coordination with sister city organizations to advance Indiana's engagement efforts,' Chinthala said. Though two ethics experts contacted by IndyStar flagged potential issues with the situation, neither alleged it ran afoul of Indiana code. Abraham Schwab, a Purdue University Fort Wayne professor who is an expert in applied ethics, said "in an ideal world" a state contractor wouldn't be working on his private business interests while being paid by the state and traveling with a state official. Arrangements like this have the potential to erode the public's trust in state government, he said, but Schwab pointed out that the practice appears to be common throughout state government. For example, one consequence of having a part-time legislature means that elected officials are often working on behalf of their own financial interests while simultaneously serving the state, Schwab said, which has created other ethical issues in the past. "Just because it's common, doesn't mean it's correct," Schwab said. However, Chinthala pushed back on "any implication or narrative suggesting misuse of public office or a conflict of interest." That is "entirely false," he said. "I remain committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics, transparency and integrity in all my professional and public service efforts," Chinthala said.
Indianapolis Star
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Diego Morales' work ethic isn't the problem. It's his corruption.
The one piece of credit I will give to Diego Morales is that he's a grinder. On that point, he and I agree. Morales racked up a gazillion miles attending far-flung Lincoln Day dinners across Indiana in the 2010s, when he was an aspiring politician. He served food. He shook hands. He ingratiated himself to fellow Republicans, ranging from statewide office-holders to rank-and-file voters. He showed up. Every day. Morales became a statewide elected official solely on the strength of that hustle. It has continued since he took office. The question is: To what end? When the Republican base got mad at former Gov. Eric Holcomb over his perceived squishiness, they took it out on Holli Sullivan, who was Holcomb's handpicked secretary of state. Morales was there to capitalize. Disaffected Republicans nominated Morales over Sullivan in 2022, despite Sullivan's competence and Morales' resume full of lies. Morales won the general election, taking over a secretary of state's office that had previously fired him for poor performance (remember, you can be a hard worker and also bad at your specific job). Morales' political rise has depended on a lot of luck. But he also made his own luck. That's why Morales' performative defense of his record is so ludicrous. Morales chose a July 23 Motor Vehicle Advisory Board meeting as an appropriate venue to go off on a 15-minute rant. He insisted "I don't care" about critics while also repeatedly lashing out at "fake news," which in his view includes WIBC-FM (93.1), IndyStar and, presumably, me. His impromptu one-man-show included a peculiar rebuttal to the "fake news." "I have put more miles on the car than two secretaries of state combined," Morales said, just warming up. "My work ethic is unmatched," he added. "You know who's the crazy guy who arrives in the Statehouse between 5 and 5:30 a.m.?' OK, sure. That's sort of missing the point, though, right? Morales' work ethic isn't the problem. It's his corruption. It's that Morales is "crisscrossing Indiana's 92 counties," as he put it, in a taxpayer-funded $90,000 GMC Yukon Denali. While we're on this point, why is Morales driving 2,000 miles per month, anyway? How is that an efficient use of time for a secretary of state, much less something to brag about? Back when Morales was running for secretary of state, I reported that he once lied about his residency status and almost certainly voted illegally in 2018. Morales, who lived in Indianapolis, was running for Congress in the 4th District. He pretended to live in a Plainfield condo in the district so he wouldn't be viewed as a carpetbagger. He twice voted in Hendricks County, while taking a property tax homestead deduction in Marion County, signaling that's where he really lived. It's fairly common for congressional candidates to lie about where they live. But Morales took it to the next level. I reported at the time that Morales directed staff to visit the condo and program lights on timers to make the home seem occupied. His campaign even put up Christmas decorations. I think that anecdote explains a lot about Morales. He's sharp. He's detail-oriented. He puts in effort. But he applies those presumptive virtues toward deceiving others and serving his own interests. One of the hardest parts of writing about Morales is deciding which scandals to reference, because the list is tediously long for reader and writer alike. Here goes: Morales' $90,000 SUV came from Kelley Automotive of Fort Wayne, which also happens to be one of his top donors; he has awarded millions of dollars in no-bid contracts; he continues to employ his brother-in-law to a six-figure salary and give him generous bonuses, along with other staff; he keeps traveling overseas for unclear reasons with unclear funding sources; and he spends taxpayer money on knickknacks with his name on them, including chip clips, which I use to keep my pretzels fresh. Morales also has faced credible sexual assault allegations and exaggerated his military record, which he loves to cite yet neglects to mention that he left the Indiana National Guard before meeting his obligation. Based on all this, I've argued that the Indiana General Assembly should impeach Morales. That's not likely to happen. Instead, the Indiana Republican Party seems hopeful about replacing him at next year's nominating convention. Morales has already announced he's running for reelection, setting up what promises to be a contentious fight. Republican challengers are lining up to take down Morales, while Democrat Beau Bayh — the son of Evan Bayh — is also positioning himself to run for secretary of state. Everyone knew who Morales was when he ran for secretary of state the first time. He's no doubt emboldened by his ability to lie and "fake news" his way through everything so far. But his act is wearing thin, even outside the high-information bubble of Central Indiana. Sources tell me Morales is becoming the butt of jokes across the state at Lincoln Day dinners, the Republican events where he once endeared himself to attendees. Perhaps Morales is feeling the pressure and that's why he lashed out. Or maybe he's lost in his own delusion and truly believes that his value to Indiana taxpayers can be measured by an odometer. "I'm a leader and I'm setting the tone for the rest of our team here in the secretary of state's office and for this board," Morales said during his Motor Vehicle Advisory Board diatribe. "My work ethic is unmatched and I hope the fake news will write that." There it is. I've written it. But Morales isn't going to win another term by beefing with the fake news. He's going to have to convince Republican delegates that he isn't insulting their intelligence. He did it once. It's going to be a much tougher sell next time around.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ten Bolivian police hurt in clashes with Morales supporters
Supporters hold a sign with an image of former President Evo Morales (AP) LA PAZ: At least 10 Bolivian police officers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with supporters of former leader Evo Morales who are demanding he be allowed run for a fourth term as president, the government said. The clashes took place in central Bolivia, where Morales' supporters began blocking roads on Monday to protest his disqualification from August's election. Six of the injured officers were hurt in dynamite explosions in the village of Bombeo in Morales' central stronghold of Cochabamba, according to Carola Arraya, deputy minister of citizen security. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of current President Luis Arce, whom they blame for a severe economic crisis and for the refusal of electoral authorities to allow Morales to contest the August 17 vote. Omar Ramirez, a leader of the Evo Pueblo movement -- which Morales founded after he quit the ruling party earlier this year -- said there were "some people injured among our companions," without giving details. Morales, one of Latin America's longest-serving leaders, served three terms as president between 2006 and 2019 before being forced to resign after elections tainted by fraud allegations. Despite being barred by the Constitutional Court from seeking a fourth term, along with being sought on charges of human trafficking over his alleged sexual relationship with a minor while in office, Morales attempted in vain to register as a candidate last month. Ramirez said that the election row had now "taken a back seat" to the economic crisis for the demonstrators. Acute shortages of dollars and fuel have caused prices of basic goods to skyrocket, sending Bolivians repeatedly into the street in protest in recent months. Bus drivers and retailers have also announced demonstrations this week over the situation. Writing on his X account, Arce claimed the real motive for the protests was Morales' "unconstitutional candidacy" and accused him of being prepared to "shut down cities and prevent the transport of food deliveries, as he did in the past" to further his comeback bid
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Business Standard
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Supporters of Bolivia's Morales clash with police to secure his candidacy
Hundreds of supporters of ex-President Evo Morales marched toward Bolivia's top electoral court on Friday to push for their leftist leader's candidacy in presidential elections later this year, a rally that descended into street clashes as police tried to clear out a group of demonstrators. The confrontations come in response to a ruling by Bolivia's Constitutional Court that blocks Morales, the nation's first Indigenous president who governed from 2006 until his ouster in 2019, from running again in Aug 17 elections. The turmoil escalates political tensions as Bolivia undergoes its worst economic crisis in four decades. As the march arrived in Bolivia's capital of La Paz, protesters seeking to register Morales' candidacy surged toward the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, chanting, Comrades, what do we want? For Evo to come back! Security forces barricading a road to the court held them back. Police reported that the clashes between rock-throwing protesters and tear gas-lobbing police forces injured two officers, a journalist and a local merchant. "They're using firecrackers and rocks that are hurting our forces," said police Commander Juan Russo. This is not a peaceful march. The authorities did not report on any injuries among the protesters, who were seen being pushed onto the ground, shoved into police cars and blasted with tear gas. Morales had promised to attend the march Friday but did not show up. The court's unanimous decision Wednesday upheld an earlier ruling that bans presidents from serving more than two terms. Morales has already served three, and, in 2019, resigned under pressure from the military and went into exile as protests erupted over his bid for an unprecedented fourth term. Morales returned to Bolivia a year later as the 2020 elections vaulted to power his preferred candidate, President Luis Arce, from his long-dominant Movement Toward Socialism, or MAS, party. Arce, who announced earlier this week that he would not seek re-election, insisted that the Constitutional Court had disqualified Morales, his mentor-turned-rival, from running in 2025. But many experts doubt the legitimacy of that decision in a country where political conflicts undermine the courts and presidents have maneuvered to get their allies on the bench. The Constitutional Court issues unconstitutional arbitrary rulings at the whim of those in power, said Morales, who himself reaped the benefits of favourable judges while seeking to run for a fourth consecutive term in 2017. After Morales lost a referendum seeking to do away with term limits while still in power, the Constitutional Court ruled it would be against Morales' human rights to stop him from running for another term. That 2017 ruling allows Morales to register his candidacy, said Oscar Hassentoufel, the president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Then the tribunal will decide whether he's eligible or not. In defiance of the latest court ruling, Morales called a mass march that marshaled his loyal supporters in the rural tropics. They long have championed the Indigenous coca-grower for transforming the country during his tenure redistributing Bolivia's natural gas wealth and seeking greater inclusion for its Indigenous majority. Although he had earlier promised to participate, it appeared that Morales remained holed up in his stronghold for fear of arrest on human trafficking charges that he claims are politically motivated. The government confirmed that fear Friday. We ask Mr. Morales to surrender voluntarily, said Eduardo del Castillo, a key minister in Arce's government whom the MAS party endorsed for president later Friday in place of Arce. "If we find him walking the streets, we will arrest him. Instead, scores of his supporters walked the capital's streets on Friday wearing masks of Morales' face. Evo Morales is each and every one of us. If they want to detain Evo Morales they would need to take every one of us, too, said David Ochoa, a representative of the marchers.
