President Luis Arce of Bolivia has replaced the country’s service chiefs following an attempted coup that threatened his administration.
After an attempt to overrun the presidential palace in Bolivia late on Wednesday, military officials retreated quickly. Video footage aired on television showed military forces gathering in the main square of the capital La Paz, with a camouflaged tank attempting to breach a palace door as soldiers attempted to enter.
Subsequently, the heavily armed military forces, led by General Juan José Zuñiga, withdrew. Police officers loyal to the government then assumed control of the palace.
According to local media, during the attempt to take over the palace, General Zuñiga had briefly entered the building and before exiting, he spoke, surrounded by masked members of the security forces, criticizing Arce’s government, and asserting that the military was trying to install “a true democracy, not one for a few.”
Calling for the release of politicians and members of the military who have been imprisoned, he said, “Enough of rule by a few. Look where that has gotten us! Our children have no future, our people have no future, and the army does not lack the balls to fight for our children’s tomorrow.”
It is unclear why and how the apparently determined move against the government lost steam.
In a television broadcast immediately after, President Arce asked Bolivians to mobilize in favour of democracy.
“Long live the Bolivian people! Long live democracy!” he shouted.
Leader of the show of force, General Zuñiga was later arrested and taken into custody.
The apparent coup attempt comes to South America’s Bolivia, a country of 12 million people, at an interesting time in Bolivian politics when President Arce is battling with former President Evo Morales for control over their party and who will be its candidate in the next election come 2025.
Morales, the country’s first Indigenous president and towering figure in the country’s politics, had been Arce’s godfather who handpicked him for the palace he occupies today.
Struggling Bolivia’s economy has recently not made things easy for Arce who has been accused of unpopular moves, including detention of opposition figures, Luis Fernando Camacho and former President, Jeanine Áñez.
A few hours after he fully regained use of his powers, President Arce announced replacements for General Zuñiga, as well as the commander general of the armed forces and the heads of the air force and the navy.
