June 26th 2024.
This morning in Bolivia, the government palace was faced with a concerning situation as armoured vehicles forcefully rammed the doors in an apparent attempt to overthrow President Luis Arce. However, the President remained resolute in his stance and even went on to appoint a new army commander who ultimately ordered the troops to stand down.
As the soldiers withdrew, the plaza was filled with supporters of President Arce, joyfully waving Bolivian flags in celebration. In a video captured within the palace, Arce was surrounded by his ministers as he declared, "Here we are, standing strong in Casa Grande, ready to face any attempt at a coup. We need the people of Bolivia to come together and organize."
Amidst the chaos, Arce directly confronted General Commander of the army, Juan José Zúñiga, who appeared to be leading the rebellion. In a video aired on Bolivian television, Arce can be heard saying, "I am your captain and I order you to withdraw your soldiers. I will not tolerate this act of insubordination."
Before entering the government building, Zúñiga addressed journalists in the plaza, stating, "Surely there will soon be a new Cabinet of Ministers. Our country and our state cannot continue like this." However, he also made it clear that for the time being, he recognized Arce as the commander in chief.
While Zúñiga did not explicitly state that he was leading a coup, the situation was tense as he declared in the palace, "The army is trying to restore democracy and free our political prisoners." These words were met with the sound of loud bangs in the background.
In a message shared on his X account, Arce urged for democracy to be respected. This came as Bolivian television broadcasted images of two tanks and a group of men dressed in military attire outside the government palace. "We cannot allow, once again, for a coup to risk the lives of Bolivians," Arce stated in a video message sent to news outlets, surrounded by government officials.
An hour later, with the support of roaring crowds, Arce announced the appointment of new heads of the army, navy, and air force. Video footage showed troops setting up blockades outside the government palace. "I am ordering all those who are mobilized to return to their units," proclaimed newly appointed army chief, José Wilson Sánchez. "No one wants to see the disturbing images we are witnessing on the streets."
Soon after, troops and armoured vehicles began to retreat from the presidential palace. The largest labor union in Bolivia condemned the action and declared an indefinite strike of social and labor organizations in La Paz in defense of the government.
The news of the attempted coup sparked outrage among regional leaders, such as the Organisation of American States, Gabriel Boric (president of neighboring Chile), the leader of Honduras, and former Bolivian leaders.
Bolivia, a country with a population of 12 million, has been facing escalating protests in recent months due to the steep decline of its economy, which was once one of the fastest-growing on the continent but is now facing a crisis. Moreover, there has been a notable divide within the highest levels of the ruling party.
President Arce and his former ally, leftist icon and former President Evo Morales, have been locked in a battle for the future of Bolivia's splintering Movement for Socialism (MAS) as they prepare for the upcoming elections in 2025.
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