Attempted coup in Bolivia thwarted

Armored military vehicles and a group of soldiers surrounded and stormed the doors of the government palace in La Paz, Bolivia, in what the country's President described as an attempted “coup d'état”.

Bolivian President Luis Arce called on the people to mobilize against the military deployment and decided hours later to appoint a new military leadership, commanded by General José Wilson Sánchez, replacing the Army’s General Commander, Juan José Zúñiga, who led the mobilization of troops against the government.

After the change in military command, the soldiers and armored military vehicles deployed in the plaza in front of the government headquarters withdrew from the area. Commander Zúñiga also departed.

The coup-leading general was captured and taken to a police vehicle outside a military barracks. Before being detained, Zúñiga told journalists that President Arce had asked him to mobilize the troops to boost his image.

Zúñiga sought to prevent the return of former President Evo Morales to power in 2025, claiming that the military intended to "restructure democracy" in Bolivia and demanded the release of imprisoned opposition members.

Morales, a rival of Arce within the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party seeking a return to power, denounced a "coup d'état." Six months ago, the Constitutional Tribunal disqualified Morales from the 2025 election.

Arce appeared triumphant. "No one can take away the democracy we have won... We are confident we will continue and keep working," he stated.

Supporters of the President gathered in the plaza, shouting slogans in his favor, such as "Lucho, you are not alone."