Bolivia arrests several senior military and intelligence officials following failed coup

CNN
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Bolivia has arrested more than a dozen senior military and intelligence officials following a failed attempt to overthrow the country's president in a coup allegedly led by its former head of state. the army.

Military officials held their first meetings in May to plan Wednesday's attempted coup, which involved mobilizing armed forces to the capital's main square and seizing power “by force”, according to a report sent to CNN by the Bolivian government.

The meetings were led by former army chief General Juan José Zúñiga and former navy commander General Juan Arnez, with Zúñiga's civilian personal advisor believed to have developed the “strategy” of the coup, says the report.

The three men are among 17 people arrested so far in connection with Wednesday's events – most of them military personnel, the report said. Other senior officials arrested include military intelligence chief Julio Buitrago.

The coup attempt, condemned by Bolivia's government and international leaders, comes as the South American country of about 12 million people grapples with an economic crisis and political instability that has fueled protests massive streets.

On Wednesday, military units led by Zúñiga – who had been fired the day before as commander of the Bolivian army – occupied the main Murillo square in La Paz, while armored vehicles broke down the gate of the presidential palace and soldiers were trying to enter government offices.

Hours later, President Luis Arce – who had called on the population to “organize and mobilize” to defend democracy – could be seen confronting Zúñiga in the crowded palace corridor, ordering the general to withdraw his soldiers and withdraw.

Arce, in power since 2020, then declared victory to the crowd outside the Quemado Palace after Zúñiga was handcuffed and forced into a police car.

After the coup attempt, Bolivian Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo told a news conference that the government had regained “total and absolute control” of its military. “We urge the population to return to normal,” he added.

At the time of his arrest, Zúñiga claimed – without providing evidence – that he was acting on Arce's instructions.

Arce denied the former army chief's allegations on Thursday, telling reporters that the coup attempt took him by surprise.

Meanwhile, Novillo told CNN that Zúñiga was “trying to drag the president through the mud.”

Bolivia, which has suffered nearly 40 coup attempts or successes since 1946, is struggling with dwindling foreign currency reserves, especially the U.S. dollar, and shortages of fuel and other basic goods. Tensions have also risen over former leftist President Evo Morales' plan to challenge former ally Arce in general elections next year.

The investigation into Wednesday's events will continue until all “participants” in the coup are identified, according to the Bolivian government report.

It also says the country's air force commander was involved in planning the failed coup, but no person of that description is listed among the arrests.

CNN sought clarification from the government and asked whether those arrested had legal representation.