Bolivia’s President Luis Arce thwarted an attempted coup by Gen. Zuniga
On June 25, 2024, Bolivia’s President Luis Arce thwarted an attempted military coup led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, the country’s army commander. The coup attempt lasted around five hours before Arce was able to assert control over the military and have Zuniga arrested.
According to the details, the coup attempt began when troops with army vehicles entered the Plaza Murillo in the capital La Paz, where the presidential palace and Congress are located. One of the tanks tried to break down the metal door to the plaza, leading to an intense standoff between Arce and Zuniga.
However, President Luis Arce was able to convince the troops to withdraw, telling Zuniga “I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination.” Zuniga was then forced into a police car and arrested.
The attempted coup was widely condemned by the international community, with leaders from Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and the Organization of American States (OAS) all denouncing it as an illegal attempt to undermine Bolivia’s democracy. The United States and United Nations also expressed concern and called for calm.
Arce, who was elected president in 2020, hailed the failed coup as a victory for Bolivian democracy, saying “Many thanks to the Bolivian people. Long live democracy.” The coup attempt came amid growing economic challenges in Bolivia, including a US dollar shortage, dwindling foreign reserves, and a rising fiscal deficit under Arce’s presidency.
General Zuniga had previously criticized President Luis Arce’s government, accusing it of “impoverishing” the country. He also threatened to arrest former president Evo Morales if he ran again in 2025, despite a constitutional court barring him from doing so. Morales condemned the coup attempt, saying the military would not be allowed to “violate democracy.”
In the aftermath, Bolivia’s Justice Minister initiated criminal proceedings against Zuniga and another senior military officer under articles related to armed uprisings, incitement of troops, and attacks on the president and state. They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The failed coup was seen as a significant test for Arce’s presidency and Bolivia’s fragile democracy, which has a long history of political instability and military interventions.
The strong international condemnation and the Bolivian people’s defense of democratic institutions were crucial in thwarting the attempt to overthrow the elected government.
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