Army Commander Refusing President’s Order to Withdraw: Bolivian Coup Underway
Bolivian President Luis Arce is confronting what he describes as an attempted coup, with armored vehicles and military personnel assaulting the government palace. In response, Arce, surrounded by his cabinet, released a video message affirming his commitment to maintaining his position and urging respect for democracy. This incident occurred as the head of the nation’s largest labor union denounced the attempted coup and called for an indefinite strike to support the government. The situation further escalated when Juan José Zúñiga, a figure apparently associated with the military action, hinted at potential changes in the government while acknowledging Arce’s authority. He claimed the army’s intent was to restore democracy and release political prisoners, signaling deep political tensions within Bolivia.
By The Associated Press June 26, 2024 at 2:09pm
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivian President Luis Arce said Wednesday in a video message, surrounded by his cabinet, that he was standing firm against an attempted coup.
Armored vehicles assaulted the government palace in the South American nation. Bolivian television showed two tanks and a number of men in military uniform outside the building.
In a message on the social platform X, Arce called for democracy to be respected.
The leadership of Bolivia’s largest labor union has also condemned what it calls an attempted coup d’état and declared an indefinite strike of social and labor organizations in La Paz in defense of the government.
Bolivian President Luis Arce has told the army general commander, who appeared to be leading the rebellion: “I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination.”
Before entering the government palace, Juan José Zúñiga told journalists in the plaza outside that “Surely soon there will be a new Cabinet of ministers; our country, our state cannot go on like this.” Zúñiga said that “for now” he recognizes Arce as commander in chief.
Zúñiga did not explicitly say whether he is leading a coup, but in the palace, with bangs echoing behind him, he said the army was trying to “restore democracy and free our political prisoners.”
Armored vehicles rammed into the doors of Bolivia’s government palace Wednesday as President Luis Arce said the country faced an attempted coup, insisted he stands firm and urged people to mobilize.
In a video of Arce surrounded by ministers in the palace, he said: “The country is facing an attempted coup d’état. Here we are, firm in Casa Grande, to confront any coup attempt. We need the Bolivian people to organize.”
Is more instability in Bolivia’s future?
Arce confronted the general commander of the Army, Juan José Zúñiga, in the palace hallway, as shown on video on Bolivian television. “I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.
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