Bolivian general arrested after failed military coup attempt

Led by a top general promising to “restore democracy,” armored vehicles rammed the gates of Bolivia's government palace on Wednesday in what the president called an attempted coup – only to quickly retreat when their leader was arrested and detained.

These events are just the latest crisis facing this South American country of some 12 million people, which is already experiencing political upheaval and an economic crisis.

In just a few hours, the nation witnessed a rapidly evolving scenario in which troops appeared to take control of President Luis Arce's government. He vowed to stand firm and appointed a new army commander, who immediately ordered the troops to withdraw.

As the crisis developed, Arce confronted the army chief, Gen. Juan José Zúñiga, in the palace hallway, as seen in the Bolivian television video. “I am your captain and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.

Less than an hour later, Arce announced the new heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force as his supporters sought approval and thanked the country's police and allies regional authorities for their support. Arce said the troops who rose up against him were “staining the uniform” of the army.

“I order all those mobilized to return to their units,” declared the new army chief, José Wilson Sánchez. “No one wants the images we see on the streets.”

Shortly after his speech, armored vehicles roared out of the square, followed by hundreds of military fighters as police in riot gear set up roadblocks in front of the government palace.

Hundreds of Arce supporters then rushed to the square in front of the palace, waving Bolivian flags, singing the national anthem and cheering. Shortly after the soldiers retreated, Zúñiga was arrested.

Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo said that in addition to Zúñiga, former Navy Vice Admiral Juan Arnez Salvador was arrested.

“What was the objective of this group? The goal was to overthrow the democratically elected authority,” del Castillo told reporters in announcing the arrests.

On Wednesday evening, Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo declared that “everything is now under control.” Surrounded by new military leaders appointed by Arce, Novillo said Bolivia had experienced a “failed coup.”

So why did this happen?

From crisis to crisis

The incident comes after months of political tension between Arce and his former ally, left-wing former President Evo Morales, over control of the ruling party.

Bolivia is also grappling with a severe economic crisis and has seen increasingly intense protests in recent months due to the precipitous decline of its economy from one of the fastest growing economies on the continent. twenty years ago to one of the most affected by the crisis.

Political turmoil within the government has thwarted efforts to turn around the economy, with Morales's allies in Congress consistently obstructing Arce's attempts to take on debt to alleviate some of the pressure.

Zúñiga referred to this paralysis that occurred during the rebellion, telling reporters that the army was tired of infighting and was seeking to “restore democracy.”

“We are listening to the cry of the people because for many years an elite has taken control of the country,” he said, adding that politicians “are destroying the country: look at the situation we are in, the crisis they have left us in.”

Regardless, the apparent attempt to remove the sitting president appeared to lack any significant popular support — and even Arce's rivals closed ranks to defend democracy and repudiate the uprising.

Before his arrest, Zúñiga disconcertingly claimed that Arce himself had asked the general to storm the palace.

“The president told me: 'The situation is very complicated, very critical. We have to prepare something to increase my popularity,'” Zúñiga said.

Justice Minister Iván Lima immediately denied Zúñiga's allegations, saying the general was lying to try to justify his actions.

In a message published on the social network

After Wednesday's chaos, local media reports showed Bolivians stocking up on food and other essentials at supermarkets, worried about what would happen next.

But speaking to supporters outside the presidential palace, the country's vice president, David Choquehuanca, vowed: “Never again will the Bolivian people allow coup attempts.” »