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In the heart of South America, a shocking attempt to seize power unfolded in Bolivia! General Juan Jose Zuniga, former commander of the Bolivian army, was at the helm of a rebellion that aimed to overthrow the current government.
This drama unfolded swiftly after Zuniga's dismissal, with his military units taking control of the main square in La Paz. They made determined efforts to breach government offices in an audacious power grab.
Now here's where things kick up a notch. President Luis Arce, showing swift action, confronted the defiant General Zuniga in the palace corridors, ordering him to retreat his troops. After a tense standoff, Zuniga was eventually apprehended and hauled away in handcuffs by police officers. Standing tall before the crowd, Arce triumphantly raised his fist, confirming the failed coup attempt.
The government soon restored control over the military forces, according to Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo. Addressing the public, he urged the people to return to normalcy after these chaotic events.
Bolivia has a history marred by political instability, with almost 40 successful or attempted coups since 1946. This latest turmoil presents yet another challenge in this landlocked South American nation amidst a severe economic crisis.
During his arrest, Zuniga made some eyebrow-raising remarks, claiming he was acting on President Arce's orders to boost the president's popularity. Justice Minister Ivan Lima swiftly debunked these allegations as baseless, insisting that Zuniga would face legal consequences for his actions.
The failed coup has sparked concerns both domestically and internationally, raising questions about Bolivia's political stability and the trajectory of its democracy amidst ongoing economic hardships.
The Bolivian government and various global leaders came out strongly condemning the coup attempt. The Attorney General's Office has commenced a criminal investigation into Zuniga and others involved in the coup. However, his current whereabouts remain unknown.
Earlier on the day, videos surfaced, showing soldiers armed and positioning themselves in Murillo Plaza, a key location housing government offices. Armored vehicles were seen breaching the government palace, as per the Associated Press. Former president Morales, hailing from President Arce's MAS party, had warned of a coup brewing.
Civilians even faced off against the soldiers during the attempted coup at Murillo Plaza.
Political tensions in Bolivia have escalated as plans by former president Evo Morales, a leftist, to contest the elections against his former ally Arce in 2025 heat up.
Before his arrest, Zuniga addressed the press in a public square, surrounded by soldiers. Proclaiming their intentions to "restore democracy," he discussed the nation's economic woes. Earlier, he had reportedly been axed for threatening to block Morales' bid for the presidency.
Zuniga spoke of the army's obligation to safeguard the future of their children and the nation's progress. He promised to release all political prisoners, including former president Jeanine Anez, currently incarcerated due to her role in deadly protests after she assumed the presidency in 2019.
As the situation evolved, President Arce appointed new military leaders, including General Jose Sanchez to replace Zuniga as army chief. Sanchez later gave the order for troops to vacate the square, easing tensions. Military vehicles soon departed the area, with Arce announcing new heads for the navy and air force.
Evo Morales, who stepped down as president in 2019 following allegations of election fraud, publicly went against his former ally Arce. He claimed he had been ousted by a coup.
Gustavo Flores-Macias, a government and public policy professor at Cornell University, told CNN that the coup attempt reflects widespread discontent in Bolivia. He highlighted dissatisfaction across all levels of society, especially with the economy, ahead of the 2025 elections, where Arce and Morales are seen as potential presidential rivals.
- The failed coup attempt in Bolivia, led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, unfolded amidst ongoing political instability, economic crisis, and domestic concern about the nation's political stability and democracy.
- The arrest of General Zuniga, who made claims about acting on President Arce's orders to boost his popularity, has been met with debunking allegations by Justice Minister Ivan Lima and a criminal investigation by the Attorney General's Office.
- In the midst of the aftermath, the Bolivian government faces international scrutiny as well as questions about the trajectory of its democracy, with the backdrop of ongoing war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, crime-and-justice, and economic issues.
