The Bolivian police arrested General Commander Juan José Zúñiga, the leader of an attempted coup, just hours after soldiers stormed the presidential palace in La Paz on June 26.
Within hours, the nation of 12 million people witnessed a rapidly unfolding scenario where the troops appeared to take control of President Luis Arce’s government.
Armored vehicles and troops occupied Murillo Square, where key government buildings are located. Bolivian television showed two tanks and several men in military uniform outside the building.
José Zúñiga, the rebel military leader, claimed he wanted to “restore democracy” and free political prisoners”.
He also indicated that he will continues recognizing Arce as the commander-in-chief “for now” but a change of government was imminent.
President Arce hand-picked Zuniga to lead Bolivia’s military. However, when Zuniga entered the presidential palace on Wednesday, he cited the country’s malaise as his motivation.
“The three chiefs of the armed forces have come to express our dismay. There will be a new cabinet of ministers. Surely things will change, but our country cannot continue like this any longer,” Zuniga told a local TV station.
“We are listening to the cry of the people because for many years an elite has taken control of the country. Stop destroying, stop impoverishing our country, stop humiliating our army.”
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Bolivians Urged to Mobilize Against Threat to Democracy
The president was seen on video confronting Gen Zúñiga in a palace hallway and ordering him to stand down.
“I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.
The soldiers’ retreat was followed by the arrest of José Zúñiga, after the attorney general opened an investigation, Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo said.
“The goal was to overturn the democratically elected authority. He wanted to take power,” del Castillo told the Media.
President Arce condemned the coup attempt, calling on the public to “organize and mobilize in favour of democracy”.
“Today the country is facing an attempted coup. Today the country faces once again interests so that democracy in Bolivia is cut short,” he said.
“We cannot allow once again coup attempts to take Bolivian lives.”
Less than an hour later, Arce announced new heads of the army, navy and air force amid the roar of supporters, and thanked the country’s police and regional allies for standing by him.
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Since taking office in 2020, President Arce has led a beleaguered government, contending with pressure from both the left and the right.
Right-wing forces in provinces like Santa Cruz have launched deadly strikes against measures they believe are designed to keep them from power.
In 2023, authorities arrested a prominent opposition leader, Luis Fernando Camacho, for his alleged role in the 2019 political unrest.
Meanwhile, President Arce also faces resistance from his former political mentor, ex-President Evo Morales, who has declared his intention to replace Arce in the 2025 presidential race.
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