Bolivia Thwarts Coup Attempt Led by Top General

In a dramatic turn of events, Bolivia experienced a brief but intense political crisis when armored vehicles, led by top general Juan José Zúñiga, attempted to storm the government palace in La Paz. President Luis Arce quickly labeled the incident a coup attempt, which lasted only three hours before the troops retreated.

The situation unfolded rapidly, with soldiers deploying in the streets of La Paz and Arce warning of an irregular troop movement. General Zúñiga claimed the military was acting to "restore democracy" and address the country's ongoing political and economic challenges. However, the attempt to depose Arce lacked significant support, and even his political rivals rallied to defend democracy.

In a surprising twist, Zúñiga alleged that Arce himself had ordered the palace storming as a political move to boost his popularity. The government vehemently denied these claims, with Justice Minister Iván Lima accusing Zúñiga of lying to justify his actions.

The crisis was swiftly resolved when Arce appointed new military leaders, including army chief José Wilson Sánchez, who ordered the troops to stand down. Subsequently, Zúñiga and former navy Vice Adm. Juan Arnez Salvador were arrested, with the government accusing them of attempting to overthrow democratically elected authorities.

The incident sparked outrage among regional leaders and organizations, including the Organization of American States and neighboring countries' presidents. Experts emphasized the importance of continued international condemnation to prevent similar events in other nations.

This attempted coup highlights the ongoing tensions in Bolivia, particularly between Arce and former president Evo Morales, as they vie for control of the ruling Movement for Socialism party ahead of the 2025 elections.