An attempted military coup took place in Bolivia on Wednesday as armored vehicles were used to ram the door of the government palace in La Paz.
President Luis Arce said that ultimately the coup attempt, led by the general commander of the army failed and he replaced his military chiefs.
The president was seen on video confronting the general commander of the Army, Juan José Zúñiga, and ordering him to stand down.
“I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.
Before he entered the building, Zúñiga told journalists outside that he still recognized the president as the military’s commander-in-chief.
But he added: “Surely soon there will be a new Cabinet of ministers; our country, our state cannot go on like this.”
After taking over, the new head of the army ordered the troops back to bases
“I order all that are mobilized to return to their units, said the newly named army chief José Wilson Sánchez, per the Associated Press. “No one wants the images we’re seeing in the streets.”
The outlet reported that soon after the troops near the palace began to withdraw.
Arce addressed supporters who gathered outside the governmental palace, after the failed coup attempt.
“Many thanks to the Bolivian people. … Long live democracy,” Arce said, according to AP.
Army commander who led the coup attempt detained
Recently sacked army commander Gen Juan Jose Zuniga was detained on suspicion of terrorism and armed uprising, the Guardian reported.
On Wednesday, he led military units into Plaza Murillo in La Paz, where they stormed the presidential palace, with an armoured vehicle ramming a door and soldiers rushing inside.
By late afternoon, President Luis Arce had named Jose Wilson Sanchez Velasquez as the new military commander, who then called on the soldiers to return to their barracks and avoid bloodshed.
Meanwhile, Gen Zuniga was apprehended at the entrance to the general staff headquarters in La Paz and was seen being driven away in a white police pickup truck.
Maroosha Muzaffar27 June 2024 04:15
EU President Ursula von der Leyen condemns failed coup
I firmly condemn the attempts to overthrow the democratically elected government of Bolivia.
The European Union stands by democracies.
We express our strong support for the constitutional order and rule of law in Bolivia.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 26, 2024
Graeme Massie27 June 2024 04:04
Bolivian president Arce thwarts coup attempt as armed forces withdraw from palace
Bolivian armed forces withdrew from the presidential palace in La Paz after president Luis Arce denounced an attempted coup led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, who had recently been stripped of his command.
Mr Arce called for public and international support to defend democracy.
Gen Zuniga’s troops had earlier stormed the palace but retreated after Arce reinstated control and swore in a new military commander, Reuters reported.
The US and regional leaders condemned the coup attempt, while ex-president Evo Morales mobilized his supporters to defend the government.
The political tension arises ahead of the 2025 general elections, with Morales planning to run against Arce.
Maroosha Muzaffar27 June 2024 03:54
Bolivia’s president urged citizens to take to the streets
Bolivia’s president Luis Arce said in a video message on Wednesday: “We need the Bolivian people to mobilise and organise themselves against this coup d’état and in favour of democracy.”
He declared: “We cannot allow, once again, attempted coups to claim Bolivian lives.”
The ministers surrounding the president chanted: “Long live the people of Bolivia! Long live democracy! Long live our president, Luis Arce!”
Maroosha Muzaffar27 June 2024 03:49
Bolivian VP says country will not allow another coup
“Never again will the Bolivian people allow coups d’etat,” Vice President David Choquehuanca told supporters who gathered outside the government palace after the failed military coup.
Graeme Massie27 June 2024 03:02
President’s supporters celebrate failed military coup
Graeme Massie27 June 2024 02:04
Scenes from La Paz as military coup fails
Graeme Massie27 June 2024 01:01
Chile condemns failed military coup
Chile’s president Gabriel Boric told reporters he had “immediately” contacted the Bolivian president to offer his “solidarity”.
“We condemn this coup attempt. We call for institutions to function, for the constitution and the laws to be respected,” he said. “We hope that no one is injured and that the legitimate government of President Luis Arce remains in place and can continue with the mandate that the Bolivian people have voted for.”
Graeme Massie27 June 2024 00:15
Bolivian president thanks supporters after failed coup
Arce addressed supporters who gathered outside the governmental palace, after the failed coup attempt on Wednesday.
“Many thanks to the Bolivian people. … Long live democracy,” Arce said, according to AP.
Graeme Massie26 June 2024 23:46
New head of army orders troops back to bases
“I order all that are mobilized to return to their units, said the newly named army chief José Wilson Sánchez, per the Associated Press. “No one wants the images we’re seeing in the streets.”
The outlet reported that soon after the troops near the palace began to withdraw.
Graeme Massie26 June 2024 23:29
