Regional Leaders, Including those from Venezuela and Latin America, Voice Disapproval Over Attempted Coup in Bolivia
Rewritten Article:
Caracas, June 27, 2024 - In a swift rejection of Bolivia's coup attempt, the Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, slammed the futile military insurrection as the act of extremists.
"Fascists and power-hungry elements will always try to seize control through violent means," Maduro tweeted. "The Bolivian people must rise to defend their democracy and their President, Luis Arce."
Caracas earlier condemned the coup attempt, labelling it an attempt to impose a fascist regime on Bolivia. The Venezuelan government also pledged its full support to Arce in protecting democracy from attack.
Gen. Juan José Zúñiga, ousted from his army command the prior day, mobilized tanks and armored vehicles in Plaza Murillo on Wednesday afternoon. He encircled the presidential palace and other institutional buildings, claiming he aimed to restore democracy in Bolivia.
However, Zúñiga did not recognize Arce's authority, sparking immediate denouncements from Bolivian leaders, including Arce and former President Evo Morales. Moralees and his allies called out the irregular troop movements and urged citizens to take to the streets and oppose the coup.
Arce confronted Zúñiga outside the presidential palace, demanding the mutineers lay down their arms and return to their barracks. Initially, Zúñiga demanded the resignation of Bolivia's defense minister, subsequently claiming that his troops would release "political prisoners."
But the insurrection disintegrated as Arce appointed new commanders for Bolivia's army, navy, and airforce. The newly appointed army chief, José Sánchez, vowed to uphold the nation's Constitution and democratic order.
Within minutes, the armored vehicles dispersed and Zúñiga fled the scene. He was later apprehended and will stand trial for his actions.
Arce, Vice President David Choquehuanca, and other high-ranking officials celebrated in front of jubilant crowds, praising the president for standing firm against the military threat. The president's supporters chanted triumphantly, "The coup plotters shall not pass!"
Notably, the Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) called for a strike and mass protests in response to the attempted anti-democratic insurrection. COB members vowed to remain vigilant against further destabilization efforts and continued their support for Arce's government.
Zúñiga's failed coup drew swift and united criticism from regional leaders, including Lula da Silva (Brazil), López Obrador (México), Miguel Díaz-Canel (Cuba), and Xiomara Castro (Honduras). Castro, the current pro-tempore president of CELAC, urged regional leaders to hold an emergency meeting and jointly condemn fascism.
Bolivia's history is marred by political instability, marked by several coups since 1950. The country lived through a coup in November 2019 when the armed forces deposed Morales, leading to his subsequent exile. The self-proclaimed government led by Senator Jeanine Áñez was notorious for suppressing anti-government protests demanding a return to democracy.
The MAS, Morales' party, regained power in the 2020 presidential elections with Arce's election. Áñez and her allies are currently serving prison sentences for their roles in facilitating the coup.
Despite the limited information available on the coup's impacts, its recent failure signifies a resilient Bolivian democracy and the continuing struggle against undemocratic regimes.
Enrichment Data:- General Juan José Zúñiga was arrested and will face charges for his role in the attempted coup.- The military coup attempt was swiftly thwarted, with no clear reports of widespread casualties.- International observers likely condemned the coup, but direct regional statements have not been publicly released.- The attempted coup reflects Bolivia's history of political instability, with a higher rate of coups than any other nation since 1950.
- Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro, in a Twitter statement, condemned the attempted coup in Bolivia, labeling it as the act of extremists, specifically naming General Juan José Zúñiga, who is of Venezuelan origin.
- In response to the foiled coup in Bolivia, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro expressed his support for President Luis Arce, noting the necessity for vigilance against such war-and-conflicts-related political instability.
- Regional leaders, including Lula da Silva (Brazil), López Obrador (México), Miguel Díaz-Canel (Cuba), and Xiomara Castro (Honduras), issued statements criticizing the coup attempt in Bolivia, with Castro, the current pro-tempore president of CELAC, urging regional leaders to join her in condemning fascism.
- Bolivia's history has been marked by political instability, with numerous instances of coups since 1950, as demonstrated by the failed coup attempt led by General Juan José Zúñiga, a Venezuelan, and the earlier coup in November 2019. This ongoing political instability underscores the importance of maintaining a democracy and resisting undemocratic regimes.
