A Bolivian general was arrested and accused of organizing a coup against the government after attempting to invade the presidential palace on Wednesday (27).
Military units led by General Juan José Zúñiga – dismissed from his position as commander of the Bolivian army a day earlier – occupied the main square of the capital, La Paz, while armored vehicles pounded on the palace door and soldiers attempted to break into government offices.
Hours later, President Luis Arce – who called on the public to “organize and mobilize” in defense of democracy – was seen confronting Zúñiga in the crowded hallway of the palace, ordering the general to withdraw his soldiers and step back.
After Zúñiga was handcuffed and forced into a police car, a triumphant Arce raised his clenched fist to the huge crowds gathered at the presidential palace, signaling the defeat of the coup attempt.
The Minister of Defense, Edmundo Novillo, later stated at a press conference that the government had regained “total and absolute control” over its armed forces. “We ask the population to return to normalcy,” he said.
Bolivia has a long history of political instability – there have been nearly 40 coup attempts since 1946. The failed takeover comes at a time when the South American country, with about 12 million inhabitants, is struggling with a growing economic crisis that has triggered street protests in recent months.
The country has been devastated by dwindling foreign currency reserves, especially the U.S. dollar, and by shortages of fuel and other basic necessities.
During his detention, Zúñiga claimed – without providing evidence – that he was acting according to instructions from President Arce himself.
The Minister of Justice, Ivan Lima, denied Zúñiga’s allegations, stating that he “lies and tries to justify himself about a decision he made and for which he will have to answer before justice.”
The coup attempt was widely condemned by the Bolivian government and international leaders.
Source: CNN