Bolivian Army Chief Arrested After Failed Coup Attempt
Bolivian Army Chief Arrested narrowly avoided a coup de tat on Wednesday after President Luis Arce successfully thwarted an attempt by the country's military chief, General Juan Jose Zuniga, to seize power.
Bolivian Army Chief Arrested After Troops Storm Presidential Palace
Zúñiga, in a dramatic turn of events, was apprehended by police shortly after armed soldiers, led by him, breached the presidential palace in La Paz.
The soldiers had positioned themselves around Murillo Square, the heart of Bolivia's government district, with armored vehicles surrounding key buildings.
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Motives Behind Bolivian Army Chief’s Actions Unclear
The exact reasons behind Zuniga's attempted power grab remain unclear.
His actions come just days after he was removed from his position for publicly criticizing former president Evo Morales.
Bolivian Army Chief Arrested After Public Standoff with President Arce
In a tense standoff captured on camera, President Arce confronted Zúñiga inside the palace, demanding he withdraw his troops and step down.
Zúñiga, who had earlier expressed conditional respect for Arce, claimed his objective was to "restructure democracy" before being arrested by police.
Bolivian Army Chief Arrested as Coup Attempt Fizzles Out
The attempted coup quickly fizzled out after President Arce's call to action. Supporters of democracy flooded the streets of La Paz, forcing the soldiers to retreat.
The public prosecutor's office has launched a criminal investigation into Zúñiga's actions, with additional arrests made, including Vice-Admiral Juan Arnez Salvador, the head of the Bolivian Navy.
Fallout from Bolivian Army Chief’s Arrest
The events raise serious concerns about the stability of Bolivia's democracy. Evo Morales, the exiled former president, condemned the coup attempt and called for criminal charges against Zúñiga and his co-conspirators.
Opposition Senator Andrea Barrientos, however, offered a different perspective, suggesting that the economic and judicial crisis in Bolivia may have driven President Arce to stage a "self-coup" using Zúñiga as a scapegoat.
This developing story is sure to have a lasting impact on Bolivia's political landscape. With the Bolivian Army Chief arrested, investigations underway, and calls for transparency, the Bolivian people await further developments.
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