Coup attempt in Bolivia: general arrested as Luis Arce faces new crisis

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Led by a top general promising to “restore democracy,” armored vehicles rammed the gates of Bolivia’s government palace Wednesday in what the president called a coup attemptthen quickly withdrew — the latest crisis in the South American country facing a political battle and an economic crisis.

Within hours, the nation of 12 million saw a rapidly evolving scenario in which troops appeared to be taking 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.

Soon the soldiers withdrew, accompanied by a line of military vehicles, ending the rebellion after just three hours. Hundreds of Arce's supporters then rushed to the square in front of the palace, waving Bolivian flags, singing the national anthem and applauding.

The withdrawal of the soldiers was followed by the arrest of the head of the army, General Juan José Zúñiga, after the attorney general opened an investigation.

Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo said that in addition to Zúñiga, former Navy Vice Admiral Juan Arnez Salvador had been 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 the new military leaders appointed by Arce, Novillo declared that Bolivia was experiencing a “failed coup.”

The apparent coup attempt comes as the country faces months of tensions and political struggles between Arce and his former ally, left-wing former President Evo Morales, for control of the ruling party. This also happened in the context of a serious economic crisis.

The clashes have paralyzed the government's efforts to deal with the economic crisis. For example, Morales's allies in Congress have consistently thwarted Arce's attempts to take on debt to alleviate some of the pressure.

Zúñiga referred to this paralysis during the rebellion, telling reporters that the military 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 in what situation we find ourselves in, in what crisis They left us.” In.”

“The armed forces intend to restore democracy, to make it a real democracy,” he said.

The crisis, which developed quickly, began in the early afternoon, when the streets of La Paz began to fill with soldiers. Arce tweeted that troop deployment was irregular and soon he and other political figures were warning of an attempted coup.

Yet the apparent attempt to remove the sitting president appeared to lack any meaningful support, and even Arce's rivals closed ranks to defend democracy and reject the uprising.

In a twist, Zúñiga claimed in comments to journalists before his arrest that Arce himself had told the general to storm the palace as a political move. “The president told me: 'The situation is very complicated, very critical. Something must be prepared to increase my popularity,'” Zúñiga quoted the Bolivian leader as saying.

Zúñiga said he asked Arce if he should “remove the armored vehicles?” ” and Arce replied, “Take them off.” »

Justice Minister Iván Lima denied Zúñiga's claims, saying the general was lying and trying to justify his actions for which he said he would be brought to justice.

Prosecutors will seek the maximum sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison against Zúñiga, Lima said via social media platform X, “for attacking democracy and the Constitution.”

The spectacle shocked Bolivians, accustomed to political unrest; In 2019, Morales was ousted as president following an earlier political crisis.

As the crisis unfolded on Wednesday, Arce confronted Zúñiga in the palace corridor, Bolivian television video shows. “I am your captain and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.

Surrounded by ministers, he added: “We are here, firmly in Casa Grande, to face any coup attempt. We need the Bolivian people to organize. »

Less than an hour later, Arce announced the new army, navy and air chiefs amid roars from his supporters, and thanked the country's police and regional allies 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, 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.

The incident sparked a wave of outrage from other regional leaders, including the Organization of American States, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, the leader of Honduras and former Bolivian leaders.

Gustavo Flores-Macias, a professor of government and public policy specializing in Latin America at Cornell University, said it was important that leaders and organizations around the world maintain their condemnation of the attempted coup. Status as developments unfold.

“If we allow the constitutional order to be interrupted in Bolivia, it could have a demonstration effect,” Flores-Macias said from New York in an interview with The Associated Press. “It could send a signal that if it can happen in Bolivia, it could happen elsewhere.”

Bolivia has seen intensifying protests in recent months against the precipitous decline of its economy, which has gone from one of the most dynamic on the continent two decades ago to one of the most affected by the crisis.

Arce and Morales are fighting for the future of the Movement for Bolivian Socialism, known by its Spanish acronym MAS, as the 2025 elections approach.

After Wednesday's chaos, local media showed Bolivians stocking up on food and other essentials in 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.” »

___

Janetsky reported from Mexico City and Anita Snow contributed to this report from Phoenix, Arizona.