Bolivia in Turmoil: Military Coup Attempt Foiled
Arrests and International Reactions
In a dramatic sequence of events, Bolivia witnessed a failed military coup attempt against President Luis Arce. The coup, led by General Juan José Zúñiga, saw soldiers and armored vehicles storm the presidential palace in La Paz. The coup attempt lasted just over three hours before being thwarted by the swift action of the government and the new military leadership.
On Wednesday, General Zúñiga and his men advanced through La Paz to Murillo Square, where they positioned eight armored vehicles and fired tear gas to disperse citizens. The soldiers attempted to break into the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, under the pretext of 'restructuring democracy.' However, President Arce quickly accused the rebels of attempting a coup and called for the mobilization of Bolivian citizens in support of democracy.
The government responded by removing Zúñiga from his position and appointing new military leaders. General Jose Wilson Sanchez Velasquez, the newly appointed head, ordered the troops to return to their barracks, effectively ending the coup attempt. General Zúñiga was subsequently arrested and charged with terrorism and armed uprising.
International Condemnation and Political Implications
The attempted coup has drawn widespread condemnation from the international community. South American leaders, including those from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, and Brazil, have called for the respect of democracy in Bolivia. The Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations also expressed their concerns, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stating he was 'deeply concerned.'
The coup attempt has highlighted the deep divisions within Bolivia's ruling party, the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS). President Arce and former President Evo Morales, once allies, are now adversaries in the upcoming 2025 presidential election. Morales has been vocal in his opposition to Arce, accusing him of judicial persecution and plotting a 'dirty war.'
The political instability in Bolivia is expected to continue, with tensions between the supporters of Arce and Morales running high. Despite the swift resolution of the coup attempt, the underlying issues within the MAS party and the broader political landscape remain unresolved.
- The Bolivian police arrested the head of the Army, General Juan José Zúñiga, and the commander of the Bolivian Navy, Juan Arnez Salvador, on charges of terrorism and armed uprising. Both were accused of attempting to overthrow President Luis Arce's government.
- The Argentine government condemned the military uprising, with Foreign Minister Diana Mondino emphasizing that 'democracy is not negotiated.' The Argentine Republic reaffirmed its defense of democracy and condemned any attempt to break it.
- The coup attempt was widely broadcasted, with local and international media capturing the tense moments as soldiers advanced on the presidential palace. The swift government response and the support from the international community played a crucial role in restoring order.
