Bolivian President Luis Arce thwarted a coup attempt led by General Juan José Zúñiga, who was later arrested. Armored vehicles stormed the government palace, but troops withdrew after Arce's intervention.
On Wednesday, Bolivian President Luis Arce faced an apparent coup attempt when armored vehicles rammed the doors of the government palace. Arce, standing firm, quickly responded by appointing a new army commander who ordered the soldiers to withdraw. Supporters of the president gathered in the square outside the palace, waving Bolivian flags and singing the national anthem. Arce, surrounded by ministers, addressed the crowd, thanking them and proclaiming, "Let democracy live on."
The coup attempt was led by General Juan José Zúñiga, who was later arrested. Zúñiga claimed that Arce himself had orchestrated the event to boost his popularity, stating that the president had instructed him to mobilize the armored vehicles. Despite these claims, Zúñiga was detained as the attorney general opened an investigation into his actions.
This incident occurred amid rising tensions in Bolivia, marked by economic difficulties and political rivalries, particularly between Arce and former President Evo Morales. The attempted coup lacked significant support, and even Arce's political opponents condemned the uprising, emphasizing the need to defend democracy.
The scenes of armored vehicles and military presence shocked many Bolivians, reminiscent of the political unrest that ousted Morales in 2019. Arce, in a show of defiance, ordered the withdrawal of the rebellious troops and announced new heads for the army, navy, and air force. He thanked the police and regional allies for their support and urged the Bolivian people to remain vigilant and organized against any future coup attempts.
The incident has heightened concerns about Bolivia's political stability, as the country prepares for elections in 2025 amid ongoing economic challenges and internal party conflicts.
