Bolivian Army forces, led by General Juan José Zúñiga, attempted to overthrow President Luis Arce’s government in a failed coup on Wednesday. The soldiers surrounded government buildings in La Paz and breached the presidential palace before being forced to retreat after a standoff with President Arce. Zúñiga, who was arrested, claimed the army’s goal was to restore democracy and free political prisoners. However, President Arce confronted Zúñiga and ordered him to withdraw his soldiers, leading to the appointment of a new military commander and the soldiers complying with the demand to return home.
Following the soldiers’ retreat, thousands of Arce’s supporters and police officers entered the plaza housing the government buildings and the presidential palace. President Arce thanked his supporters and police officials for standing up against the alleged coup and announced new heads for the country’s army, navy, and air force. Arce expressed gratitude to the Bolivian people for rejecting the attempted coup, emphasizing the importance of working together to move the country forward. The failed coup also faced condemnation from Arce’s political rivals, including former President Evo Morales, who warned his supporters about the brewing coup and called for the prosecution of Zúñiga and his alleged accomplices.
General Zúñiga, who had been stripped of his military command by Arce last week, allegedly made comments against Morales, Arce’s mentor and Bolivia’s former president. Morales resigned in 2019 amid allegations of election fraud and pressure from the army, leading to a re-run election and the election of Arce. Former President Jeanine Áñez, a member of the center-right Democrats party, also condemned the coup attempt and called for the defense of democracy through the ballot. Áñez, who held power for a year after Morales’ resignation, is among the political prisoners that Zúñiga sought to free from captivity.
The coup attempt in Bolivia drew strong condemnation at home and abroad, with world leaders and organizations expressing concern over the threat to democracy in the country. President Arce’s government faces challenges in maintaining stability and addressing the underlying issues that led to the attempted coup. Moving forward, Bolivia must work to strengthen its democratic institutions, promote transparency and accountability, and address the grievances of all its citizens to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for the country. The failed coup serves as a reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of upholding democratic principles in times of crisis.
