In an apparent coup attempt [6] against Bolivia's President Luis Arce, military vehicles surrounded the presidential palace in La Paz June 26—with one ramming open [7] the building's front doors. Arce took to Twitter to denounce [8] the "irregular mobilization of some units of the Bolivian Army," and called for democracy to be respected. As La Paz residents converged on Plaza Murillo to confront the troops outside the palace, Arce officially dismissed [9] armed forces commander Gen. Juan José Zúñiga, replacing him with Gen. José Sánchez—who promptly issued orders [10] for all troops to return to barracks. This caused the occupying troops to retreat [13] from the plaza. Later, the Government Ministry announced that Zúñiga had been arrested [11].
The coup attempt drew harsh criticism from across Bolivian society, from the courts [14] to the ombudsman [15] to the general public—who have continued to show up in Plaza Murillo in huge numbers to support the government. Leaders of neighboring nations, including Brazillian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva [16] and Chilean President Gabriel Boric [17], also condemned the attempt.
Last week, Zúñiga said that he would arrest former president Evo Morales if he ran for president again. Morales had previously accused [18] Zúñiga of leading a secret group within the army, called the Pachajchos, that monitors peasant leaders and political opponents.
From Jurist [19], June 27. Used with permission.
