Bolivian General Arrested Amid Attempted Military Coup!
Date: Wednesday
Location: Bolivia
Summary
Bolivia’s army chief, General Juan José Zúñiga, was arrested on Wednesday after deploying soldiers and tanks in what President Luis Arce called an attempted coup. This incident, lasting about five hours, took place in Plaza Murillo, where the government buildings are located.
Incident Details
Military Deployment
- Action: Soldiers and tanks were deployed in Plaza Murillo, where Bolivia’s presidency and Congress are situated.
- Tanks: One of the tanks attempted to break down a metal door of the presidential palace.
- Reason: General Zúñiga claimed the armed forces were trying to “restructure democracy” to be fairer and not dominated by a few individuals over the past 30 to 40 years.
Arrest of General Zúñiga
- Arrest: General Zúñiga was captured and taken into custody by the police. This occurred outside a military barracks, and footage of the arrest was broadcast on state television.
- Official Statement: Deputy Interior Minister Jhonny Aguilera told Zúñiga, “General, you are under arrest.”
Government Response
President Arce’s Reaction
- Public Address: President Arce spoke to supporters from a government palace balcony, emphasizing that no one could take away the democracy they had won.
- Call to Action: Arce urged the Bolivian people to organize and mobilize in favor of democracy.
- New Appointments: Arce fired Zúñiga and swore in new military leaders.
Accusations by Zúñiga
- Claims: Zúñiga alleged that President Arce had instructed him to stage an uprising to boost his approval rating by creating a crisis.
- Meeting Details: Zúñiga claimed that during a meeting on Sunday, Arce responded affirmatively to his question about deploying armored vehicles.
Background and Political Context (Resignation)
Former President Evo Morales
- Allegations of a Coup: Former President Evo Morales claimed a coup was in progress and called for a national mobilization to defend democracy.
- Political History: Morales, Bolivia’s first Indigenous president, was popular until he attempted to extend his term beyond constitutional limits in 2019, leading to his resignation amid protests and allegations of election fraud. He returned after Arce’s presidential win in 2020.
Amid Protests
Power Struggle
- Rivalry: A power struggle exists between Morales and President Arce, with Morales criticizing the government over corruption and sidelining him politically.
- Legal Issues: The Constitutional Court barred Morales from running in the 2025 elections, but Morales still seeks nomination as the Movement for Socialism (MAS) candidate.
- Threat of Arrest: Zúñiga previously stated he would arrest Morales if he insisted on running in the 2025 elections.
International Reactions
Condemnations
- Global Condemnation: Many Latin American leaders condemned the attempted coup, calling for democracy to be respected.
- Countries: Leaders from Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela voiced their concerns.
- Statements: Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Organization of American States (OAS) emphasized the need to uphold Bolivia’s constitutional order.
U.S. Response
- Observation: The Biden administration monitored the events closely, calling for calm and the maintenance of democratic principles.
Conclusion
The attempted coup in Bolivia led to the arrest of the army chief, General Juan José Zúñiga, and strong responses from both the Bolivian government and the international community. President Arce’s government is now tasked with addressing the aftermath and maintaining democratic stability in the country.
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