Troops and tanks are parked in front of the government headquarters in the Bolivian capital, La Paz, AFP and Reuters report.
While the president of Bolivia Luis Arce today denounced the “unusual movements” of the army.
“We denounce the arbitrary mobilization of some Bolivian army units. There must be respect for democracy”, wrote the president on social media X.
We denounce irregular mobilizations by some units of the Bolivian Army. Democracy must be respected.
— Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Lucho Arce) (@LuchoXBolivia) June 26, 2024
“A coup is being prepared”
According to a post by former president Evo Morales (2006-2019) on X, “a coup is being prepared”.
We call for a National Mobilization to defend Democracy in the face of the coup d’état that is taking place at the head of the Great Ones. Zuñiga.
We declare an indefinite general stop and blockade of paths.We will not allow the armed forces to violate democracy and threaten everyone…
-Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) June 26, 2024
Evo Morales, who publicly fell out with Arce’s successor even though they both belong to the same socialist movement, said in a separate post on X that his supporters would mobilize to support democracy.
He accused a general, Juan José Zuniga, of trying to stage a coup.
“We will not allow the armed forces to violate democracy and intimidate the people,” said Morales.
In detail, he wrote: “We call for a national mobilization to defend the Republic against the coup led by General Zuñiga.
We are announcing an indefinite general strike and roadblocks. We will not allow the Armed Forces to violate democracy and intimidate the people.”