Bolivia's top general arrested after failed coup attempt – DW – 06/27/2024

Bolivian authorities on Wednesday suppressed a brief coup attempt in which armored vehicles rammed the gate of the presidential palace.

Soldiers were also seen entering the building around 4 p.m. local time (2000 GMT/UTC). They later withdrew following the condemnation of President Luis Arce and other officials.

Bolivian authorities arrested the army's outgoing general commander, Juan José Zuniga, after troops withdrew from Murillo Square, home to the main presidential building.

“We denounce the irregular mobilizations of certain units of the Bolivian army. Democracy must be respected,” Arce said on social media as the military began arriving in central La Paz.

He appointed new military commanders from the presidential palace as the coup was in full swing. They then ordered the troops present in the square to return home.

Thousands of Arce supporters began to invade the square waving Bolivian flags as the soldiers withdrew.

“No one can take away the democracy we have won,” Arce told his supporters from the balcony of the presidential palace.

Army chief sacked and arrested

Zuniga was automatically dismissed when Arce appointed new military commanders.

He was arrested shortly after troops withdrew from the capital.

Local television stations earlier showed footage of Arce confronting Zuniga in the hallway of the presidential palace.

“I am your captain and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.

Rumors began circulating this week in Bolivia that Zuniga's job was under threat.

Zuniga, for his part, said in televised remarks that he expected a change of government and also intended to release “political prisoners,” including former interim president Jeanine Anez . He did not go so far as to call these activities a coup d'état himself.

Justice Minister Ivan Lima said prosecutors would seek a maximum sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison for Zuniga for undermining democracy and the constitution.

Ex-President Morales condemns coup attempt

Former President Evo Morales, who publicly parted ways with his successor Arce even though both belong to the same socialist movement, said in another article on X that his supporters would mobilize to support democracy.

“We will not allow the armed forces to violate democracy and intimidate the population,” Morales said.

Bolivia has experienced the most coups and revolutions of any country on the planet since 1950 and nearly 200 since its independence in 1825.

Although not universally considered a coup, the military was also instrumental in removing Morales from office in 2019.

As the popular leader considered running for a fourth term, which would have put him over Bolivia's term limit, and after losing support from other key groups like unions, the military made clear that She was no longer willing to protect him during his term. .

Morales, who resigned shortly after the statement, and his supporters viewed the actions as a coup.

Under Arce, Morales' successor as interim president, Anez, was later tried and convicted on charges related to Morales' departure from power.

International condemnations are pouring in

The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, was one of the first foreign leaders to react.

“The European Union condemns any attempt to disrupt the constitutional order in Bolivia and overthrow democratically elected governments, and expresses solidarity with the Bolivian government and people,” Borrell said in a message written in his native Spanish.

The head of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, also issued a quick condemnation.

“The OAS General Secretariat condemns in the strongest terms the events that occurred in Bolivia. The army must submit to the legitimately elected civilian power,” Almagro said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his government “strongly condemns the military movements in Bolivia” and offered solidarity and support to the government and people.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric also expressed “our concern about the situation in Bolivia” and “our support for democracy in our brother country and for the legitimate government.”

Washington also responded to the news by calling for calm.

“The United States is closely monitoring the situation in Bolivia and calls for calm,” a spokesperson for the US National Security Council said in a statement.

zc, msh/ab (AFP, AP, EFE, Reuters)