The Coup Failed. Now we need to find out who is behind it.
In a significant shakeup, Bolivian President Luis Arce announced the appointment of new leaders for the country’s military branches following a serious incident where military units deployed armored vehicles against the government palace. This bold act marked an alarming escalation in what Arce described as an attempted coup. The announcement was met with cheers from supporters gathered outside the palace.
BREAKING: Video of Bolivian President, Luis Arce, face to face with the military trying to overthrow his government and demanding they stand down. pic.twitter.com/qhEiPRGsLN
— red. (@redstreamnet) June 26, 2024
President Arce, addressing the nation through a video, declared the events as an attempted usurpation of power. He called for unity and vigilance among the citizens, emphasizing the need for organization to thwart any such attempts in the future. The video also captured scenes outside the government palace where troops were seen setting up barricades, though these forces were later ordered to retreat.
The confrontation reached a peak when Arce personally confronted Army General Juan José Zúñiga inside the palace. Zúñiga, who had been relieved of his duties shortly before the incident, was later arrested following an investigation initiated by the attorney general. The specific charges against him were not immediately disclosed.
During a subsequent press engagement, Zúñiga claimed President Arce had instigated the military action to boost his declining popularity, a charge the president vehemently denied. Zúñiga recounted a conversation where he claimed Arce pushed for the deployment of armored vehicles to create a dramatic scene.
UPDATE: Bolivian troops have WITHDRAWN from the presidential palace and the city’s central plaza.
President Luis Arce has appointed a new Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Police and anti-coup protesters have regained control of the area. pic.twitter.com/9SP4fZ5fRg
— red. (@redstreamnet) June 26, 2024
In the aftermath, newly appointed army chief José Wilson Sánchez urgently called for discipline and order, urging all troops involved to return to their bases and cease further actions that tarnish the military’s reputation.
The incident has not only raised tensions within Bolivia but also drawn international attention. The United States expressed its concern, calling for calm and restraint from all parties. The unrest comes against a backdrop of worsening economic conditions in Bolivia, which has spurred frequent protests and exposed deep-seated political rifts within the ruling Movement for Socialism party.
❗️ ‘Democracy must be respected’: Bolivian president blasts ‘illegal mobilization’ of the army
Bolivian President Luis Arce claimed on social media that units of the country’s army carried out an illegal mobilization on the afternoon of June 26 in La Paz’s Murillo Square.
Video… pic.twitter.com/6yhDaOpIXk
— Emeka Gift Official (@EmekaGift100) June 27, 2024
Leaders from across the region, including Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have voiced their support for Bolivia’s democratic process and condemned any attempts at destabilization. The crisis underscores the volatile political environment in South America, reminiscent of the recent turmoil in Peru where a similar attempt to overthrow the government led to the impeachment and arrest of President Pedro Castillo.
In Bolivia, the largest labor union has responded by declaring an indefinite strike, signaling a period of prolonged unrest as the country heads towards a critical electoral juncture in 2025.
Major Points
- Bolivian President Luis Arce announced new leadership for the military following an attempted coup involving armored vehicles storming the government palace.
- Arce confronted and later arrested Army General Juan José Zúñiga, who was accused of leading the coup attempt.
- The newly appointed army chief, José Wilson Sánchez, called for troops involved in the incident to return to their bases and maintain discipline.
- The incident has drawn international attention, with the United States and other regional leaders expressing concern and calling for restraint.
- The political crisis in Bolivia is unfolding against a backdrop of economic decline and internal disputes within the ruling Movement for Socialism party.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
