Bolivia: What was the “coup attempt” that President Arce condemned after the army seized central La Paz and entered the seat of government

Bolivia was in a state of uncertainty on Wednesday after a group of soldiers massed in central La Paz, in what President Luis Arce called an attempted “coup.”

Soldiers and military vehicles took over Murillo Square in La Paz for a few hours, entering the Quemado Palace, the former seat of the government led by General Juan José Zúñiga, who was dismissed as commander of the Bolivian army on Tuesday for some statements he made about former President Evo Morales.

After the start of military operations, President Arce gave a televised speech surrounded by members of his government in which he called for the mobilization of the people and said: “We are firm in confronting any coup attempt.”.

“We want to urge everyone to defend democracy, and we are here in Casa Grande with the entire Council of Ministers, and with our social organizations. We salute you, social organizations, and we warmly invite you to show democracy once again to the Bolivian people.” The agent said.

the Soldiers and military vehicles taking control of Plaza Murillo They began their withdrawal minutes later.

Zuniga had previously told the press that there was a “mobilization of all military units.” Because of the “situation the country is going through”.

“We are listening to the cry of the people. Because for many years, the elite has been in charge of the country. The owners of the state, the saboteurs are present in the various state structures, and they are destroying the homeland. The armed forces intend to restructure democracy,” declared Zuniga.

The general also said he was seeking the release of “all political prisoners” including former President Jeanine Anez.

Pictures posted on social media later showed Arce inside Quemado Palace standing up to Zuniga and ordering the withdrawal of the army, which… They entered the building by breaking through the door with an armored vehicle.

Later, in a televised ceremony from Casa Grande del Pueblo, the current seat of the Bolivian government, Arce appointed new military commanders, including General José Wilson Sánchez, who assumed overall command of the army.

After taking the oath, the soldier declared: “No one wants to see the image we see in the streets. That’s why now as Commander… I order, command, and command that all personnel mobilized in the streets return to their units“.

While this event was taking place at the Government House, members of the military who had gathered in central La Paz began to leave Plaza Murillo.

Once the forces withdrew, Luis Arce came out to the presidential balcony In front of a crowd of people, he thanked the citizens who gathered.

“With you, with the people, we will never give up. No one can take away the democracy that we won at the ballot box and with the blood of the Bolivian people,” Arce said.

Hundreds of people gathered near the government headquarters despite opposition from the rebels, who tried to block their way with tear gas.

After the Bolivian Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant for General Zuniga, he was arrested.

During his arrest, The military man, Luis Arce, was accused of orchestrating the coup attempt “To increase his popularity.”

“On Sunday at La Salle School I met with the president and the president told me the situation was very bad and this week would be critical.” “It is necessary to prepare something to raise my popularity,” Zuniga told the cameras during his arrest.

The general went on to describe his alleged conversation with Ars, in which he asked him if they should “take out the armored vehicles?” He answered in the affirmative: “Get out.” According to Zuniga, preparations began the same night with the mobilization of military vehicles.

Before they arrest him… Zuniga confirmed that what happened was a “self-coup.”

The local press confirms that the general will be tried for crimes of terrorism and armed uprising against the security and sovereignty of the state.

Later, the authorities announced the arrest of a second person involved in Wednesday’s events, the former commander of the Bolivian Navy, Juan Arnez Salvador.

Former President Evo Morales, leader of the ruling Movement Towards Socialism party, described what happened on Wednesday as… “coup” processing.

He wrote in

Indeed, Juan José Zúñiga was dismissed from his position as army commander on Tuesday after he made statements against Morales in which he stated that he “can no longer be president of this country,” referring to the former president’s aspirations to run for office again.

“Where appropriate I will not allow you to trample on the ConstitutionZuniga had said in a television interview, “Disobeying the mandate of the people,” stressing that the armed forces are “the armed arm of the people, and the armed arm of the country,” and threatened to arrest Morales.

The officer refused to be fired and continued in his office for a few more hours, even attending an official event.

Arce and Morales, once allies, have maintained their position Political confrontation In recent months, the future of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party and the former president’s attempt to seek a new term have been kept in check.

In various public statements, Arce said he was the target of a “soft coup” aimed at “shortening the term” which would have Morales’ followers behind it.

In turn, the former president denounced Arce’s efforts to undermine his aspirations for a new presidential candidacy by assuming leadership of the Movement Toward Socialism.

Morales left power in 2019, after a military uprising that followed the first round of presidential elections. He then left the country with Mexico’s support, but returned once Arce returned to power.

In parallel, Bolivia is facing a serious economic crisis due to fuel shortages and foreign currency shortages. This led to a union mobilization that Arce blamed on Morales.

Several Latin American presidents condemned the military actions against the Bolivian government on Wednesday.

“We express the strongest condemnation of the attempted coup in Bolivia. We express our full support and support for President Luis Alberto Arce Catacura, the true democratic authority of this people and brotherly country,” the President of Bolivia said. Mexico Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Gustavo Pietropresident ColombiaHe expressed his “total rejection of the military coup in Bolivia.”

“I call on all the Bolivian people to resist democratically. Latin America must unite in favor of democracy. The Colombian embassy must grant asylum to the persecuted. He added that there will be no diplomatic relationship between Colombia and the dictatorship.”

president Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, He said: “Brazil’s position is clear. I am a fan of democracy and I want it to prevail throughout Latin America. We condemn any form of coup in Bolivia and reaffirm our commitment to the people and democracy of our brotherly country, headed by Luis Arce.”

Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wrote on his account on the X website: “From Venezuela, we strongly condemn and reject Attempted coup against Bolivian democracy; “Troops who betrayed the oath of allegiance surround the presidential palace in La Paz.”

“We join the call of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States made by President Xiomara Castro to condemn the fascism that seeks to break the legitimate democracy in the Plurinational State of Bolivia,” the President said.