Coup attempt fails in Bolivia

The military and armored vehicles that were deployed in front of Bolivia’s presidential palace in La Paz began to withdraw at dusk this Wednesday after President Luis Arce swore in new military leaders, the Reuters agency reported.

The new military command ordered the troops led by General Juan José Zúñiga to disperse, while the highest court of Justice condemned what it described as an attack against the democratic stability of the South American country.

Arce said in statements from the official box of the government headquarters, the Casa Grande del Pueblo that he had just defeated a coup attempt, saluted the military who helped him and affirmed that it was a victory for the people.

Zúñiga, who had been dismissed by Arce as head of the Army, earlier on Wednesday gathered several armored military vehicles and a group of soldiers in front of the government headquarters, who later managed to enter the palace after forcing their way in.

The situation raised fears of a coup against Arce, who was seen on television images confronting Zúñiga in the palace hallway. “I am your captain and I order you to withdraw your soldiers and I will not allow this insubordination,” he said.

Zúñiga alleged in Murillo Square, in front of the government headquarters, that the troops were upset by the outrage that exists.”

He also spoke on television about “attacks on democracy,” that “there would soon be a change of cabinet” and that “for now” he recognized President Arce as commander in chief of the Armed Forces.

Arce warned the people of the danger of a coup d’état and called for them to mobilize against the military deployment. “We salute social organizations and cordially invite them to once again show the path of democracy,” he said.

Tensions have been rising in Bolivia ahead of the 2025 general election as leftist former President Evo Morales plans to run against his former ally, incumbent President Arce, creating a major rift in the ruling socialist party and greater political uncertainty.

Many do not want the return of Morales, who governed from 2006 to 2019, when he was overthrown amid widespread protests and replaced by an interim conservative government led by Jeanine Áñez. Arce assumed power in 2020.

“The three commanders of the forces are here, we have come to express our annoyance,” said Zúñiga. “The people ask for enough, enough of looting in our country, (…) enough of destroying our country.”

Zúñiga recently said Morales should not be allowed to return as president and threatened to block him if he tried to do so, prompting Arce to remove him from office.

Zúñiga was arrested on Wednesday night and the Bolivian Attorney General’s Office said it will begin a criminal investigation against him and those who accompanied him in the day’s events.

“The State Attorney General’s Office reaffirms its commitment to defending legality and the general interests of society within the framework of preserving our democracy,” he said in a statement.

Morales, who has publicly broken with Arce even though they both belong to the same socialist movement, announced a national mobilization of his followers in a separate post on X and accused Zúñiga of instigating the coup.

“I ask the people with a democratic vocation to defend the Homeland from some military groups that act against democracy and the people,” said the former president.

Arce’s supporters gathered in the square and shouted slogans in his favor such as “I fight, you are not alone” or “Rifle, shrapnel, the people do not shut up.” The military fired tear gas to disperse them.

The Bolivian Workers’ Union (COB) declared a general strike and called on workers to “mobilize.”

Morales previously announced a national mobilization of his followers on his X social network account.

“I ask the people with a democratic vocation to defend the Homeland from some military groups that act against democracy and the people,” said the former president.

[Con información de AP y Reuters]

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