Attempted Coup in Bolivia Thwarted Following Military Incursion at Presidential Palace
Tensions remain high in the in the capitol and throughout the country...
On Wednesday evening, the Bolivian armed forces retreated from the presidential palace in La Paz, and General Juan Jose Zuniga was detained following President Luis Arce's denouncement of an attempted coup. Arce appealed for international backing in response to the events.
In the day's earlier events, forces under the command of Zuniga, who had been relieved of his military duties, converged on Plaza Murillo, the location of both the presidential palace and the national Congress. Witnesses from Reuters reported seeing an armored vehicle forcefully entering the presidential palace as soldiers followed suit.
President Arce addressed the nation from the palace, surrounded by armed forces, declaring, "Bolivia is currently experiencing an attempted coup d'état, a threat to our democracy." He called upon the citizens to unite and defend democracy against the coup efforts.
Subsequently, Reuters witnesses observed the military's withdrawal from the plaza, which was then secured by police forces. Zuniga was apprehended by Bolivian officials, though his whereabouts following the arrest remain undisclosed.
Within the walls of the presidential palace, Arce administered the oath of office to José Wilson Sanchez, appointing him as the new military commander, a position previously held by Zuniga. Sanchez immediately urged for the restoration of peace and order.
The United States has expressed its concern over the unfolding situation, advocating for peace and moderation.
The political climate in Bolivia has been strained in anticipation of the 2025 general elections. The prospect of former President Evo Morales, a leftist, running against his one-time comrade Arce has caused a significant division within the ruling socialist party, leading to a broader sense of political instability.
A segment of the population is resistant to the idea of Morales returning to power. His presidency, which spanned from 2006 to 2019, ended amidst mass protests, leading to his replacement by a provisional conservative administration. Arce secured his presidency in the 2020 elections.