Jeanine Anez trial: Former Bolivian president faces another trial over 2019 coup

Former Bolivian president Jeanine Anez has been transferred from a prison in La Paz ahead of a criminal trial against her for allegedly planning a 2019 “coup” against then president Evo Morales.

Supporters and opponents of Anez have gathered in front of a courthouse in the capital of La Paz where the divisive former leader is expected to face court again after already being sentenced to 10 years in jail in June 2022 for having assumed the presidency unconstitutionally in 2019.

A heavy police presence was on the streets outside the courthouse with a number of police in riot gear watching protesters chanting ahead of the transfer of the former president and news presenter, along with her co-accused Juis Fernando Camacho, the former governor of Santa Cruz, and six others.

Anez has been accused of terrorism, criminal association and improper use of influence over the protests in 2019 against Morales, which left almost 20 people dead and forced Morales out of office.

Anez has described the trial as a “hoax”, accusing Morales’ ruling party MAS of jailing her without evidence.