Bolivian General Arrested Following Attempted Coup in La Paz

Bolivian General Arrested Amid Failed Coup Attempt

Bolivian police have arrested General Juan José Zúñiga, leader of an attempted coup, hours after soldiers stormed the presidential palace in La Paz. Hundreds of troops and armored vehicles took positions on Murillo Square, where key government buildings are located. One armored vehicle tried to smash the entrance to the presidential palace, but soldiers later withdrew.

Turmoil in La Paz

Gen Zúñiga, who aimed to “restructure democracy,” was arrested moments after telling reporters the intervention was at President Luis Arce’s request. Appointed commander of the Bolivian Army in 2022, he was removed from his role on Tuesday after criticizing former President Evo Morales.

In dramatic footage from inside the presidential palace, President Arce confronted Gen Zúñiga, ordering him to stand down. Loud bangs could be heard as they spoke face-to-face. The president condemned the coup attempt, urging the public to “organize and mobilize in favor of democracy.” His call resonated, with pro-democracy demonstrators taking to the streets.

Political Repercussions

President Arce announced new military commanders and confirmed Gen Zúñiga’s dismissal. Evo Morales, also condemning the coup, called for criminal charges against Gen Zúñiga and his “accomplices.” The public prosecutor’s office has opened a criminal investigation, and Vice-Adm Juan Arnez Salvador, head of the Bolivian Navy, has also been arrested.

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Gen Zúñiga’s motivations remain unclear. On Monday, he vowed to arrest Mr. Morales if he ran for office again, despite being barred from doing so. Gen Zúñiga accused an “elite” of taking over the country, but just before his arrest, he claimed President Arce had instructed him to use armored vehicles to boost his waning popularity.

Opposition senator Andrea Barrientos suggested that economic and judicial crises prompted President Arce to launch a “self-coup.” Bolivian is currently grappling with significant cost-of-living pressures and a US dollar shortage. She called for a thorough investigation into the situation.

A Short-Lived Uprising

Wednesday’s events appeared to be a short-lived military uprising rather than a wider unravelling of power. The government now seems more vulnerable, and others may attempt to dislodge President Arce’s administration through political means rather than military force.

As troops occupied La Paz, Mr. Morales called on his supporters to demand an end to the coup attempt. This display of popular power may have helped counter Gen Zúñiga’s plans, which included freeing political prisoners like former leader Jeanine Áñez.

Both President Arce and Mr. Morales belong to the same political party, despite internal feuds. Their rivalry has led some Bolivian, including Gen Zúñiga, to worry that Mr. Morales might seek another term in office. Concerns stem from his attempt to bypass the constitution for a fourth term in 2019, which ended in his resignation and exile after violent protests.

The interim leader Jeanine Áñez, who served between 2019-2020, was sentenced to 10 years in jail over what prosecutors say was a coup to oust Mr. Morales. President Arce won a re-run vote in 2020 after a period of instability.

International Condemnation

Allies like Venezuela and Colombia quickly condemned the coup attempt, calling for democracy to prevail. Washington also called for calm, as did Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña. Bolivian, even those opposed to socialist rule, fear a return to military coups that have plagued South America.

Human rights activist Jhanisse Vaca Daza expressed concerns that President Arce could use the coup as a pretext to crack down on opponents. Political analyst Carlos Toranzo noted the “lack of clarity” on whether the event was a coup attempt or a government-orchestrated show. He highlighted the strange calm from the president and his cabinet during the crisis.

Despite the turmoil, Mr. Toranzo believes President Arce is gaining from the situation, with the country uniting to defend democracy.