Jessica Villarroel, a 24-year-old woman from Bolivia, has publicly accused President Luis Arce of sexual harassment and abuse of power, claiming their alleged extramarital affair began three years ago when she was 21. The allegations arise amid a political climate of turmoil in Bolivia, particularly within the ruling Movement Towards Socialism Party (MAS), where former President Evo Morales faces his own severe allegations, including human trafficking and pedophilia. This political backdrop adds to the complexity of Villarroel’s claims, with a notable power struggle dividing loyalty between Arce and Morales as they approach the 2025 presidential elections.
Villarroel described her initial meeting with Arce at the Bolivian presidential palace, claiming it took place after applying for the position of vice-minister of sports, a role she has never held. Her account suggests that the meeting turned personal as Arce allegedly celebrated her potential appointment with drinks and engaged in intimate relations. Villarroel’s narrative indicates that Arce, instead of behaving as a public official, approached her with a personal interest that quickly developed into a six-month affair, involving clandestine meetings and intimate exchanges.
The allegations intensify as Villarroel claims that she visited Arce multiple times at a hotel in Santa Cruz and that he once proposed she be his “lover.” These meetings, often shrouded in secrecy, included moments of vulnerability for Villarroel, who claims she informed Arce of a pregnancy just prior to suffering a miscarriage after a motorcycle accident. Villarroel states that following this incident, Arce attempted to offer her an embassy position to facilitate her departure from the country, a proposition she reportedly declined, further complicating the narrative surrounding consent and mutual interest.
In support of her claims, Villarroel presented alleged evidence, including photographs, WhatsApp message logs, and a scarf she asserted was used to conceal her identity during their encounters. Additionally, she indicated that Arce’s pattern of behavior extended beyond herself, suggesting the existence of multiple other victims whom she claims Arce has silenced through his position and influence. These assertions of systemic abuse raise significant questions about Arce’s conduct while in office and the power dynamics inherent in their alleged relationship.
Lawmaker Héctor Arce Rodríguez, who is reportedly aligned with Morales’ faction, indicated that he plans to file a criminal complaint against Arce on several charges, including abuse of authority, misuse of public resources, extortion, sexual harassment, and human trafficking. This collaborative political maneuver emphasizes the serious nature of Villarroel’s allegations and signals a potential escalation of the power struggle within the MAS party, revealing fractures that could influence the upcoming elections.
While President Arce has not issued a public statement regarding Villarroel’s accusations, a government official, Vice Minister Gustavo Torrico, dismissed the claims as “delusional” and a “badly written script.” Torrico’s remarks reflect a broader tendency among some officials to discredit allegations against powerful figures, often framing them as fabrications or symptoms of mental instability. This reaction exemplifies the pervasive culture of denial and blame that typically surrounds accusations of sexual misconduct in politics, exposing the complexities and dangers faced by individuals like Villarroel when challenging figures of authority.
