Your police Bolivia arrested the leader of the attempt coupjust hours after soldiers stormed the presidential palace in the capital La Paz.
Armored vehicles and troops have taken up positions in Murillo Square, where the main government buildings are located. All have now been retired.
![Coup attempt in Bolivia: General Zuniga arrested (video, photos) 1 bolivia 1](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/bolivia-1.jpg)
The rebels’ main military leader, General Juan José Zuniga, said he wanted to “restructure democracy” and that while he respected President Luis Arce for now, there would be a change of government. He is now in custody.
General Juan José Zúñiga is the architect of the coup d’état in Bolivia. Yesterday he threatened to arrest Evo Morales and today he wanted a coup. He must be condemned for treason against his country, violating the constitutional order and democracy.pic.twitter.com/JpkQtpxSQr
-El Necio (@ElNecio_Cuba) June 26, 2024
President Arce condemned the coup attempt, calling on the public to “organize and mobilize… for democracy”. “We cannot allow any more coup attempts that claim Bolivian lives,” he said in a televised speech to the country from the presidential palace.
Pro-democracy demonstrations and criminal investigation
His words resonated clearly, with pro-democracy protesters taking to the streets to support the government. Arce also announced that he was appointing new military commanders, confirming reports that General Zuniga had been fired after openly criticizing former Bolivian leader Evo Morales.
Morales also condemned the coup attempt and called for criminal charges to be brought against General Zuniga and his “associates”. The Public Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal investigation.
“Lucho you are not alone”, shouted the Bolivian people and almost all of Latin America before the coup attempt #Bolivia The self-proclaimed defenders of “democracy and the republic” remained silent. Typical! pic.twitter.com/4vhF4Xg2Qo
-Carlos Montero (@CMonteroOfficial) June 26, 2024
Was it an isolated incident?
It is increasingly clear that this was a short-lived military revolt rather than a broader breakdown of power. However, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether General Zuniga’s military mutiny was just an isolated incident. Certainly, the government now appears more vulnerable and others may try to wrest power from Arce – albeit through politics rather than the military.
Morales’ support
It can, however, count on the support of Evo Morales, the powerful former president and the greatest left-wing politician in Bolivia.
Morales called on his supporters, especially the country’s indigenous coca-growing movement, to take to the streets to demand an end to the coup attempt. This demonstration of people power may well have helped to strengthen resolve against General Zuniga’s plans, which also included the release of “political prisoners.”
The general’s speech
Speaking from Murillo Square after it was captured by troops, General Zuniga said: “We will recover this homeland. An elite took over the country, vandals who destroyed the country.”
He was ousted after appearing on television on Monday to say he would arrest Morales if he ran for office again next year, despite being barred from doing so.
THERE IS A COUP D’ETATED IN BOLIVIA
It’s not “gópi” style Lula + Alexandre de Moraes. What is happening there appears to be a coup indeed: tanks and troops are in the streets, a general leadership or attack and assault troops have surrounded Murillo Square in La Paz.
So much for President Luis… pic.twitter.com/3wmKEhMFjK
— Fernão Lara Mesquita (@fernaolmesquita) June 26, 2024
Before Evo Morales took power in 2005, Bolivia was one of the most politically unstable nations in the Americas. His time in power brought much-needed stability to the Andean nation, at least until the inglorious end of his term.
The condemnation
Close allies, such as the leftist governments in Venezuela and Colombia, were quick to condemn what was happening and call for democracy to prevail. Washington also claimed it would prevail.
Even Bolivians who opposed their socialist regime will not want to see a return to a dark era of coups d’état.
With information from BBC, Reuters