The pinnacle of Bolivia’s armed forces was sacked and arrested on Wednesday after rallying males and tanks outdoors the presidential palace in La Paz claiming he wished to “restructure democracy”, with Bolivian President Luis Arce denouncing a coup try.
Common Juan Jose Zuniga was arrested as he spoke to reporters outdoors a barracks in La Paz, after withdrawing along with his troops from Murillo Sq. in entrance of the presidential palace, which that they had occupied for hours.
See Zuniga’s arrest
BREAKING: Bolivian normal arrested on dwell tv after failed coup try pic.twitter.com/9WN2OJ6u7g
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) June 26, 2024
What did Mr. Suniga inform the journalists?
“You might be beneath arrest, my normal!” Inside Secretary Johnny Aguilera mentioned as he was escorted by police, in accordance with footage broadcast on state tv. The final was taken to the headquarters of a particular police unit to be questioned by the prosecution, which accuses him of terrorism and armed riot.
Earlier than his arrest, Zuniga advised reporters he was performing on orders from Arce, who requested him on Sunday to “put together one thing” to spice up his reputation.
The chronicle of the coup try
Yesterday the final and his males marched by means of the streets of La Paz to Plaza Murillo, the place they positioned eight tanks and fired tear gasoline at anybody who tried to method.
Arce then denounced to X “irregular actions of some items of the Bolivian military”. “Democracy have to be revered,” the president confused.
Based on AFP reporters, a tank tried to knock down the metallic door of the Palacio Quemado, the presidential seat, the place Zuniga briefly entered earlier than exiting once more.
Surrounded by troopers, the final declared that “the armed forces are attempting to restructure democracy, to make it an actual democracy. Not that of the few, not that of the bosses who’ve dominated the nation for 30-40 years.”
From the presidential palace, Arce dismissed Zuniga and appointed a brand new command of the armed forces.
“We face a coup try by troopers who dishonor the uniform,” the Bolivian president complained throughout the swearing-in ceremony.
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales (2009-2019) additionally denounced to X that “a coup is being ready” and referred to as for a “nationwide mobilization in protection of democracy.”
The navy withdrew within the night.
As quickly as they left Arce went out on the balcony of the presidential palace to greet his supporters, a whole bunch of whom had gathered within the sq.. “Nobody can steal from us the democracy we have now gained,” he confused.
Rumors
Rumors have been circulating since Tuesday that Common Zuniga, who has been within the put up since November 2022, could also be fired.
In a televised interview on Monday, Zuniga mentioned he would arrest Morales if he tried to run for president in 2025, regardless of the Constitutional Courtroom ruling in December 2023 that he couldn’t achieve this.
“From a authorized perspective he’s disqualified, he can now not be the president of this nation,” the final had confused.
The navy “is the armed arm of the nation and we are going to defend the Structure in any respect prices,” he added.
Bolivia’s ruling occasion, the Motion for Socialism (MAS), is deeply divided between Arce and Morales, who had been as soon as allies however now rivals forward of the 2025 elections.
Morales is claiming the MAS anointing to be the occasion’s candidate within the elections, whereas Arce has but to formally announce his candidacy.
Reactions
The leaders of Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico and Colombia referred to as for democracy to be revered, whereas Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wrote in X: “I like democracy and want it to prevail all through Latin America ».
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has denounced an tried “coup in Bolivia”, organized “by the intense proper along with a traitorous navy”.
UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres mentioned he was “deeply involved” and the US mentioned it was monitoring the state of affairs “intently” and referred to as for calm, in accordance with a White Home spokesman.
See pictures
#Bolivia #Chronicle #Coup #foiled
