Bolivian army chief arrested after failed coup attempt

Bolivian army chief, Juan Jose Zuniga has been arrested after his failed coup attempt by sending soldiers and tanks to the presidential palace. The President of Bolivia, Luis Arce called this action of General Juan as an “attempted coup.”

The military invasion by mobilizing tanks into central Plaza Murillo sparked International condemnation of an attack on democracy. Plaza Murillo is a historic area that contains the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and Presidential Palace.

🇧🇴🚨 Coup Attempt in Bolivia!

Bolivian President Luis Arce has warned of a coup attempt orchestrated by a faction of the country's military.

"We denounce irregular mobilizations of some units of the Bolivian Army. Democracy must be respected," stated Arce. pic.twitter.com/ML2fhI3cEw
— TabZ (@TabZLIVE) June 26, 2024

Military soldiers tried to smash a metal door of the presidential palace. Meanwhile, the now-dismissed army chief General Juan declared the armed forces intended to restructure a democracy to make a true democratic Bolivia instead of running by the same few people for 30-40 years.

He passed this statement on to being surrounded by soldiers and eight tanks. However, tanks and soldiers started leaving the Presidential Palace after a few hours.

Denunciamos movilizaciones irregulares de algunas unidades del Ejército Boliviano. La democracia debe respetarse.
— Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Lucho Arce) (@LuchoXBolivia) June 26, 2024

They left when President Luis Arce appointed José Wilson Sanchez as the new Army chief inside the palace. Meanwhile, Luice also called on the Bolivian public from inside the palace while soldiers and tanks were present outside his residence.

He said today Bolivia is facing an attempted coup d’état. The democracy in Bolivia is at stake. So, he summons the Bolivian people today to save democracy. They need the Bolivians to organize and mobilize against the military attempt for the sake of democracy.

¡Vamos a defender la democracia y la voluntad del pueblo boliviano cueste lo que cueste!

Saludamos y agradecemos a las y los presidentes de países amigos y a los organismos internacionales que han condenado de manera enérgica y se han pronunciado en favor de la democracia…
— Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Lucho Arce) (@LuchoXBolivia) June 27, 2024

Hence, Bolivian people started reaching the Presidential Palace following the call of President Luice. General Jose also came into action and called for peace and order following the command of President Luice.

He announced while addressing invaded soldiers he didn’t want to spoil the blood of their soldiers. Hence, he ordered all mobilized soldiers on the streets to return to their units. Afterward, Bolivian troops started to leave the palace notwithstanding pressure.

Saludamos y expresamos nuestro más sincero agradecimiento a nuestras organizaciones sociales y a todo el pueblo boliviano, que salieron a las calles y se expresaron a través de distintos medios de comunicación, manifestando su rechazo a la intentona golpista, que lo único que… pic.twitter.com/Szlh4X1j1H
— Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Lucho Arce) (@LuchoXBolivia) June 27, 2024

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Following this, General Jose arrested the dismissed Bolivian army chief, Juan Jose Zuniga, with another senior military officer, Juan Arnez.

Meanwhile, President Luis stated no one should take away democracy as they had won while standing on the palace balcony in front of hundreds of Bolivian people.

Hence, the immediate response of Bolivians by coming out on the streets in support of President Luis played a significant role in turning over the coup attempt of General Juan. Moreover, his wise strategic move to appoint General Jose also proved beneficial to secure his presidential power.