Bolivia’s army arrested a general accused of attempting a coup against the country’s government on Wednesday, as armed soldiers stormed the national palace in an hours-long overture.
In a shocking development that unfolded within hours, video footage showed armored vehicles and troops led by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Juan José Zuniga appearing to surround the seat of President Luis Arce’s government, which Arce said was The demonstration was an attempted coup.
“The country is facing an attempted coup today,” Arce said, according to a CNBC translation. “We need the Bolivian people to mobilize and organize against the coup and support democracy.”
Senior Ministerial Official Maria Nella Prada Share video clips She reported in Plaza Murillo, the central square of La Paz’s government seat, that there were tanks and troops operating in an “irregular manner” while controlling access to the site.
“We want to condemn this coup attempt, this violation of the constitutional order and, of course, as we have always said, at this moment, the people remain vigilant, the Bolivian people remain vigilant and the organizations remain vigilant to defend our democracy.” , she said, according to a CNBC translation.
The president appoints three new army, navy and air force commanders, with José Wilson Sánchez taking over as commander of the country new army chief and urgently instructed the armed forces to cease fire. The soldiers retreated to make way for Arce’s supporters, Associated Press report. Defense Minister Edmundo Novello later told a news conference that the situation in the country’s armed forces was now under control after the appointment of a new commander.
Video shows Zuniga being surrounded by a crowd and detained after Bolivian Justice Minister Iván Lima labeled him a “traitor”. announce criminal investigation Enter General.
Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo Later confirmed Zuniga and former Navy Vice Adm. Juan Áñez Salvador were arrested.
Zuniga was fired on Tuesday during the campaign. harsh criticism Former Bolivian President Evo Morales has announced his intention to overhaul the country’s ministerial cabinet and invoked his patriotic duty to “restore” the country.
“Of course, there will be a new cabinet soon. Military units are on readiness/standby. All units,” zuniga says during the military operation, according to a CNBC translation. “There will be a new cabinet of ministers. But our country, our country cannot continue like this. Because they (politicians) do whatever they want. We are showing our insecurity. Our insecurity is a responsibility , our duty as soldiers, this is the homeland from which this country was born, the home of the armed forces and the military, and we will take it.
Asked whether coup forces were trying to seize the Bolivian president’s palace, the general confirmed “yes.”
The apparent coup is the latest blow to a country grappling with a deep economic crisis exacerbated by dollar shortages, high public debt and declining natural gas production, following a commodities boom in 2014. Will grow 1.6% this year.
The international community rallied to condemn the apparent coup attempt.
“The EU condemns any attempt to undermine the constitutional order of #Bolivia and overthrow the democratically elected government and expresses its solidarity with the government and people of Bolivia,” EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell said on social media.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “Spain strongly condemns the military action in Bolivia” Represented on social media platform, according to a CNBC translation. “We express our support and solidarity with the government and people of Bolivia, and we call for respect for democracy and the rule of law.”
South American countries from Venezuela to Paraguay, Cuba and Chile also condemned the military action.
Arce accepted the support of the international community: “We will defend democracy and the will of the Bolivian people at all costs!” he said on social media, according to a CNBC translation. “In the face of a deliberate coup attempt against the government legitimately elected by the majority of Bolivians, we salute the presidents of friendly countries and international organizations and express our support for Bolivian democracy.”
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