June 26th 2024.
This morning, a chaotic scene unfolded in Bolivia's government palace as armoured vehicles forcefully rammed the doors in what appeared to be a coup attempt against President Luis Arce. Despite the tense situation, Arce remained resolute and even made a bold move by appointing a new army commander who immediately ordered the troops to stand down.
As the soldiers retreated, Arce's supporters gathered in a central square, waving Bolivian flags and cheering for their leader. In a video surrounded by his ministers, Arce addressed the nation and called for the people to come together and stay strong against any threats to their democracy.
The situation escalated when Arce came face to face with the general commander of the army, Juan José Zúñiga, who was seemingly leading the rebellion. In a tense exchange captured on video, Arce asserted his authority and demanded that Zúñiga withdraw his soldiers. Before entering the government building, Zúñiga had spoken to journalists, hinting at a potential change in leadership, but ultimately acknowledging Arce as the commander in chief.
While Zúñiga did not explicitly declare a coup, his actions and words raised alarm. Inside the palace, with the sound of explosions in the background, he claimed that the army was trying to restore democracy and free political prisoners. However, Arce quickly countered this message, calling for respect for the country's democracy and denouncing any attempts at a coup.
In a show of strength and unity, Arce announced new heads of the army, navy, and air force, with a sea of supporters cheering him on. The government palace was surrounded by troops, but the situation de-escalated as they were ordered to return to their units. The newly appointed army chief, José Wilson Sánchez, urged his fellow soldiers to uphold their duty and avoid any further scenes of violence.
The incident sparked outrage from regional leaders, including the Organisation of American States, the president of neighbouring Chile, and the leader of Honduras. Even former Bolivian leaders spoke out against the attempted coup. The country, with a population of 12 million, has been facing growing unrest and protests over the plummeting economy and a divide within the ruling party.
Arce, who was once allies with former President Evo Morales, has been at odds with him over the future of Bolivia's Movement for Socialism. With the next elections set for 2025, this power struggle has only added to the country's turmoil. As the situation in Bolivia remains tense, the rest of the world watches with concern, hoping for a peaceful resolution.
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