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| Bolivian General Juan Zuniga Arrested After Failed Coup Attempt |
Bolivian General Juan José Zúñiga Arrested After Failed Coup Attempt
In a dramatic turn of events, General Juan José Zúñiga, who led Bolivia's army, was arrested on Wednesday night in La Paz after a failed coup attempt ¹. President Luis Arce swiftly denounced the attempted coup and replaced Zúñiga with a new army commander, who successfully called for the soldiers to stand down.
Coup Attempt
Armored vehicles stormed the presidential palace, and soldiers took control of the historic Plaza Murillo. Zúñiga demanded a new cabinet and the release of jailed politicians, including former President Jeanine Áñez and Luis Fernando Camacho.
Arrest and Aftermath
Zúñiga was arrested and claimed he was acting on President Arce's request to boost his popularity. Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo accused Zúñiga of seeking to overthrow the democratically elected government. A former navy vice-admiral was also taken into custody.
Political Tensions
The coup attempt comes amid rising tensions between President Arce and former President Evo Morales, who will run against each other in next year's presidential election. Morales called on supporters to mobilize in support of democracy, while the US, EU, and Organization of American States condemned the attempted coup and urged calm and restraint.
Bolivia's History of Coups
Bolivia has experienced numerous coups since gaining independence in 1825. The country is facing economic struggles, and the recent political crisis has paralyzed the government's efforts to address the economic situation.