Sucre [Bolivia], June 27: "We cannot let this coup take the lives of Bolivians again. We want to call on everyone to defend democracy," President Arce said at the Casa Grande Palace.
Meanwhile, armed soldiers and military armored vehicles gathered around Murillo square, where the executive and legislative buildings are located, according to CNN.
General Juan Jose Zuniga, former Commander of the Bolivian Army, was the one who carried out the mutiny to "restructure democracy". "The armed forces intend to restructure democracy to make it a real democracy and no one will run with a few people in 30, 40 years," Mr. Zuniga said outside the presidential palace. , surrounded by soldiers and eight tanks.
Hours later, soldiers withdrew from government buildings after trying to knock down the gate outside the presidential palace.
According to AFP, Mr. Zuniga was arrested and put in a police car while speaking to reporters outside a barracks. "General, you have been arrested," Deputy Interior Minister Jhonny Aguilera told the general. Inside the presidential palace, President Arce also swore in Mr. Jose Wilson Sanchez as Army commander.
Former President Evo Morales wrote on social network X that "a coup is brewing". Mr. Morales, having publicly distanced himself from his ally Arce, called on social movements from rural to urban areas to defend democracy. Mr. Morales resigned in 2019 after protests alleging election fraud. At that time, he claimed to have been forced to leave in a coup.
Vice President David Choquehuanca condemned the coup in Bolivia aimed at overthrowing the democratically elected government.
Many international leaders such as Paraguay President Santiago Pena and European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Commissioner Josep Borrell simultaneously condemned the coup action of Bolivian soldiers. Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Luis Almagro condemned the mutiny and said the military must obey duly elected civilian power.
The White House announced that US President Joe Biden is closely monitoring developments in Bolivia and calling for calm.
Tensions have risen in Bolivia ahead of the 2025 general election, when former President Morales plans to run for re-election. Mr. Zuniga recently said that Mr. Morales should not return and threatened to prevent it, leading to his dismissal as commander by President Arce.
The Bolivian prosecutor's office announced that it will open a criminal investigation against Mr. Zuniga and those involved in the failed coup.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
