Bolivia’s top general arrested after failed coup attempt

Q24N (DW) Authorities in Bolivia put down a short-lived coup attempt on Wednesday that saw armored vehicles ramming the door of the presidential palace.

Soldiers were also seen entering the building around 4 p.m. local time (2000 GMT/UTC). They later withdrew following condemnation from President Luis Arce and other officials.

Bolivian authorities arrested the outgoing general commander of the army, Juan Jose Zuniga, after troops pulled back from Plaza Murillo square housing the main presidential building.

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“We denounce irregular mobilizations of some units of the Bolivian Army. Democracy must be respected,” Arce said on social media as the military began to arrive in central La Paz.

He appointed new military commanders from the presidential palace as the coup was in full swing. They then ordered troops in the square to return home.

Thousands of supporters of Arce began to flood the square while waving Bolivian flags as the soldiers withdrew.

“No one can take away the democracy we have won,” Arce told supporters from the balcony of the presidential palace.

Army chief sacked and arrested

Zuniga was automatically sacked when Arce appointed new military commanders.

He was arrested shortly after troops withdrew from the capital.

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Local television channels earlier showed footage of Arce confronting Zuniga in the hallway of the presidential palace.

“I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.

Rumors had started circulating this week in Bolivia that Zuniga’s job was at risk.

Zuniga, for his part, said in televised comments that he expected the government to change and that he also intended to release “political prisoners,” including the former interim president, Jeanine Anez. He stopped short of describing the activities as a coup himself.

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Justice Minister Ivan Lima said prosecutors will seek the maximum sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison for Zuniga for attacking democracy and the constitution.

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