Bolivian President Luis Arce has responded to General Juan José Zúñiga ordering Bolivian soldiers to take over the presidential palace and Plaza Murillo, the capital’s central plaza, in La Paz, Bolivia.
Arce is demanding the withdrawal of the forces, stating, “If you respect the line of military command, withdraw all these forces right now…. That is an order.” He denounced the military actions, stating on X, “We denounce irregular mobilizations of some units of the Bolivian Army. Democracy must be respected.”
Former President of Bolivia Evo Morales denounced Zúñiga’s actions, saying a coup d’état was “being brewed,” stating on X:
We call for a National Mobilization to defend Democracy against the coup d’état that is being brewed at the head of General Zuñiga. We declare an indefinite general strike and road blockade. We will not allow the Armed Forces to violate democracy and intimidate the people
Morales also called on Bolivians to defend against the coup, stating on X:
The Coup d’état is brewing. At this time, personnel from the Armed Forces and tanks are deployed in Plaza Murillo. They called an emergency meeting at the Army General Staff in Miraflores at 3:00 pm in combat uniforms. Call on the social movements of the countryside and the city to defend democracy.
Zúñiga claimed the Bolivian cabinet of ministers would be replaced, stating, “The three chiefs of the armed forces have come to express our dismay. There will be a new cabinet of ministers, surely things will change, but our country cannot continue like this any longer,” and said his actions were in response to the failures of the political leaders, adding, “Stop destroying, stop impoverishing our country, stop humiliating our army.”
