Bolivia coup: Army chief arrested after rebellion as president urges people to take to the streets
A senior Bolivian general was arrested after armoured vehicles rammed the doors of the government palace in La Paz on Wednesay in what President Luis Arce called an attempted coup.
Forces led by army chief General Juan Jose Zuniga appeared to take control of Mr Arce’s government as they vowed to “restore democracy” but the president vowed to hold firm and swiftly named a new military commander, who immediately ordered the troops to stand down.
The soldiers duly pulled back, along with a line of military vehicles, ending the rebellion after three chaotic hours, as hundreds of Mr Arce’s supporters rushed the square outside the palace, waving Bolivian flags, singing the national anthem and cheering.
Government minister Eduardo del Castillo said former Vice Admiral Juan Arnez Salvador was also taken into custody.
“What was this group’s goal? The goal was to overturn the democratically elected authority,” Mr del Castillo told journalists in announcing the arrests.
The apparent coup attempt came after the South American nation of 12m people faced months of tensions between Mr Arce and his one-time ally, former leftist president Evo Morales, over control of the ruling party.
It also came amid a severe economic crisis.
Key Points
Bolivian president thwarts coup attempt as armed forces withdraw from palace
President Arce thanks supporters
Dozen military officers arrested following failed coup, local media says
Failed overthrow buys Arce time amid Morales threat as locals weigh ‘self-coup’ speculation
The story behind an extraordinary day in La Paz
Bolivia coup live blog
Wednesday 26 June 2024 22:37 , Graeme Massie
This is a live blog covering the attempted military coup in La Paz, Bolivia.
Coup attempt in Bolivia as president warns of “irregular” military deployment in capital
Wednesday 26 June 2024 22:38 , Graeme Massie
Former Bolivian president Evo Morales denounced the movement of the military in the Murillo square outside the palace.
Coup attempt in Bolivia as president warns of “irregular” military in capital
Pictures of scene in La Paz
Wednesday 26 June 2024 22:39 , Graeme Massie
Political crisis unfolding in Bolivia
Wednesday 26 June 2024 22:43 , Graeme Massie
Video of military coup in Bolvia hits social media
Wednesday 26 June 2024 22:45 , Graeme Massie
Scenes of military coup in Bolivia
Wednesday 26 June 2024 22:49 , Graeme Massie
Latest scenes from streets of La Paz
Wednesday 26 June 2024 23:00 , Graeme Massie
President reportedly says general arrested by his own troops
Wednesday 26 June 2024 23:04 , Graeme Massie
President Luis Arce has reportedly said that general commander of the Army, Juan José Zúñiga, was arrested by his own troops when they realized he was carrying out a military coup.
Truck rams gates of Bolivia presidential palace
Wednesday 26 June 2024 23:05 , Graeme Massie
President replaces attempted coup leader and others military heads
Wednesday 26 June 2024 23:23 , Graeme Massie
Following the attempted coup President Luis Arce announced he had replaced General Zuñiga, the commander general of the armed forces, as well as the heads of the air force and navy, reported the New York Times.
New head of army orders troops back to bases
Wednesday 26 June 2024 23:29 , Graeme Massie
“I order all that are mobilized to return to their units, said the newly named army chief José Wilson Sánchez, per the Associated Press. “No one wants the images we’re seeing in the streets.”
The outlet reported that soon after the troops near the palace began to withdraw.
Bolivian president thanks supporters after failed coup
Wednesday 26 June 2024 23:46 , Graeme Massie
Arce addressed supporters who gathered outside the governmental palace, after the failed coup attempt on Wednesday.
“Many thanks to the Bolivian people. ... Long live democracy,” Arce said, according to AP.
Chile condemns failed military coup
Thursday 27 June 2024 00:15 , Graeme Massie
Chile’s president Gabriel Boric told reporters he had “immediately” contacted the Bolivian president to offer his “solidarity”.
“We condemn this coup attempt. We call for institutions to function, for the constitution and the laws to be respected,” he said. “We hope that no one is injured and that the legitimate government of President Luis Arce remains in place and can continue with the mandate that the Bolivian people have voted for.”
Scenes from La Paz as military coup fails
01:01 , Graeme Massie
President’s supporters celebrate failed military coup
02:04 , Graeme Massie
Bolivian VP says country will not allow another coup
03:02 , Graeme Massie
“Never again will the Bolivian people allow coups d’etat,” Vice President David Choquehuanca told supporters who gathered outside the government palace after the failed military coup.
Bolivia’s president urged citizens to take to the streets
03:49 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Bolivia’s president Luis Arce said in a video message on Wednesday: “We need the Bolivian people to mobilise and organise themselves against this coup d’état and in favour of democracy.”
He declared: “We cannot allow, once again, attempted coups to claim Bolivian lives.”
The ministers surrounding the president chanted: “Long live the people of Bolivia! Long live democracy! Long live our president, Luis Arce!”
Bolivian president Arce thwarts coup attempt as armed forces withdraw from palace
03:54 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Bolivian armed forces withdrew from the presidential palace in La Paz after president Luis Arce denounced an attempted coup led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, who had recently been stripped of his command.
Mr Arce called for public and international support to defend democracy.
Gen Zuniga’s troops had earlier stormed the palace but retreated after Arce reinstated control and swore in a new military commander, Reuters reported.
The US and regional leaders condemned the coup attempt, while ex-president Evo Morales mobilized his supporters to defend the government.
The political tension arises ahead of the 2025 general elections, with Morales planning to run against Arce.
EU President Ursula von der Leyen condemns failed coup
04:04 , Graeme Massie
Army commander who led the coup attempt detained
04:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Recently sacked army commander Gen Juan Jose Zuniga was detained on suspicion of terrorism and armed uprising, the Guardian reported.
On Wednesday, he led military units into Plaza Murillo in La Paz, where they stormed the presidential palace, with an armoured vehicle ramming a door and soldiers rushing inside.
By late afternoon, President Luis Arce had named Jose Wilson Sanchez Velasquez as the new military commander, who then called on the soldiers to return to their barracks and avoid bloodshed.
Meanwhile, Gen Zuniga was apprehended at the entrance to the general staff headquarters in La Paz and was seen being driven away in a white police pickup truck.
Bolivia’s president raises clenched fist after failed coup
05:02 , Graeme Massie
Armoured vehicle breaks through door at Bolivian presidential palace as country faces coup attempt
05:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Armoured vehicles rammed into the doors of Bolivia’s presidential palace in La Paz on Wednesday, 26 June, during what appeared to be an attempted military coup.
President Luis Arce issued a video statement ordering the general commander of the Army, Juan José Zúñiga, to stand down.
“The country is facing an attempted coup d’état. Here we are, firm in Casa Grande, to confront any coup attempt. We need the Bolivian people to organise,” Mr Arce said.
Speaking to journalists outside the government building, Mr Zúñiga said that “for now” he recognizes Mr Arce as commander-in-chief.
Armoured vehicle breaks through door at Bolivian presidential palace
Latin American leaders unite to condemn Bolivia coup attempt
05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Several Latin American leaders, including Mexico’s president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro, and Uruguay’s president Luis Lacalle Pou, condemned the attempted coup and expressed support for Bolivia’s president Luis Arce.
Chile’s president Gabriel Boric also condemned the use of force by a faction of Bolivia’s army, standing in support of Bolivia’s democracy. He told reporters that he “immediately” contacted his Bolivian counterpart to offer his “solidarity”.
European leaders also voiced their concerns. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez called for respect for democracy and the rule of law, condemning the military movements in Bolivia.
The British ambassador in Bolivia, Richard Porter, echoed these sentiments. “The United Kingdom condemns any attempt to take power by unconstitutional means,” he said.
In photos: Bolivia’s coup attempt led by Juan Jose Zuniga
05:51 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Eight injured in protests following coup attempt
06:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Bolivia’s minister of health, Maria Renee Castro, said eight people had been injured due to impact from pellets following the coup attempt and ensuing civilian protests.
Civilians gathered in protest as hooded and armed individuals surrounded the square, leading to clashes and injuries, the daily La Razon reported.
Now-sacked general Juan Jose Zuniga, who led the coup attempt, was later detained.
Army commander who led the coup attempt detained
06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Recently sacked army commander Gen Juan Jose Zuniga was detained on suspicion of terrorism and armed uprising, the Guardian reported.
On Wednesday, he led military units into Plaza Murillo in La Paz, where they stormed the presidential palace, with an armoured vehicle ramming a door and soldiers rushing inside.
By late afternoon, President Luis Arce had named Jose Wilson Sanchez Velasquez as the new military commander, who then called on the soldiers to return to their barracks and avoid bloodshed.
Meanwhile, Gen Zuniga was apprehended at the entrance to the general staff headquarters in La Paz and was seen being driven away in a white police pickup truck.
Watch: Truck rams gates of Bolivia presidential palace
06:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Who is Juan Jose Zuniga – army commander who led a coup in Bolivia?
07:05 , Maroosha Muzaffar
A controversial figure in Bolivian politics, Juan Jose Zuniga – arrested since the attempted coup – opposes former Bolivian president Evo Morales, who still holds significant influence in the country. Current president Luis Arce is from the same party as Morales.
Zuniga has been vocal in his criticism of Mr Morales, who plans to run for president again in 2025.
The now-sacked army chief declared Mr Morales “could not be the president of this country again” and vowed not to let him “trample on the constitution and disobey the public’s mandate”.
Accused of embezzling nearly 2.7m bolivianos [£286,421] during his military career, Gen Zuniga’s understanding of political dynamics helped him rise in the armed forces, according to according to El Deber newspaper.
Mr Morales has also accused Gen Zuniga of leading a military organisation plotting against him.
ICYMI: Bolivian president Arce thwarts coup attempt as armed forces withdraw from palace
07:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Bolivian armed forces withdrew from the presidential palace in La Paz after president Luis Arce denounced an attempted coup led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, who had recently been stripped of his command.
Mr Arce called for public and international support to defend democracy.
Gen Zuniga’s troops had earlier stormed the palace but retreated after Arce reinstated control and swore in a new military commander, Reuters reported.
The US and regional leaders condemned the coup attempt, while ex-president Evo Morales mobilized his supporters to defend the government.
The political tension arises ahead of the 2025 general elections, with Morales planning to run against Arce.
President Luis Arce’s career has mirrored Bolivia’s economic trajectory from boom to bust
08:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The president of Bolivia, who was the target of a failed coup Wednesday, is a 60-year-old leftist whom many see as an opponent of Washington-backed free-market and neoliberal policies.
Luis Arce, who studied economics in London, was economy minister under President Evo Morales, whose time in office from 2006 to 2019 made him an icon of the Latin American left.
After Morales left office, Arce became president in November 2020, following Jeanine Añez’s short time in office.
Bolivian television showed Arce confronting the apparent leader of the rebellion — the general commander of the army — in the hallway of the government palace Wednesday night.
“I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.
Arce named a new army commander, who immediately ordered the troops to stand down. Their retreat ended the rebellion after just three hours.
Arce’s career has mirrored Bolivia’s economic trajectory from boom to bust. He worked in the Central Bank from 1987 to 2006 and worked for Morales administering a bonanza in metals and hydrocarbons prices that came to be known as the “Bolivian Miracle.”
But by the time Arce took office, Bolivia was hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and social tensions set off by Morales’ 2019 departure after street protests and extreme pressure from the military.
Neoliberal reforms in the 1990s helped Bolivia become a significant energy producer, and it moved from a low-income to a middle-income nation, according to the World Bank. The percentage of people in extreme poverty fell to 15 per cent, the state built highways and cable cars, and cities grew.
But incomes began to fall in 2014.
Assuming the presidency, Arce described his country’s recession as the worst in 40 years.
He recently said gasoline and diesel production no longer covered national consumption, and that the country had to import 86 per cent of its diesel and 56 per cent of its gasoline because of a lack of exploration and production.
Households also have been forced to grapple with high food prices.
Meanwhile, tensions between Morales and his party continued to rise.
In November, Arce criticized his opponents and said they “dreamed of new coup d’état”.
— Associated Press
Eight injured in protests following coup attempt
08:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Bolivia’s minister of health, Maria Renee Castro, said eight people had been injured due to impact from pellets following the coup attempt and ensuing civilian protests.
Civilians gathered in protest as hooded and armed individuals surrounded the square, leading to clashes and injuries, the daily La Razon reported.
Now-sacked general Juan Jose Zuniga, who led the coup attempt, was later detained.
Army general presented arrives at first hearing after attempted coup
09:00 , Tom Watling
Mapped: Bolivia military group stages coup
09:30 , Tom Watling
Here we have some background on the coup attempt
10:00 , Tom Watling
The apparent coup attempt in Bolivia comes after the nation of 12 million people faced months of tensions between president Luis Arce and his one-time ally, former leftist president Evo Morales, over control of the ruling party.
These tenions have been worsened by a severe economic crisis that has left many Bolivians struggling with a cost of living crisis.
The clashes have paralysed the government's efforts to deal with the economic crisis. Mr Morales's allies in Congress have consistently thwarted Mr Arce's attempts to take on debt to relieve some of the pressure.
Dismissed army chief General Juan Jose Zuniga, who initiated the coup attempt, referenced that paralysis during the rebellion, telling reporters the military was tired of the infighting and was seeking "to restore democracy".
"We are listening to the cry of the people because for many years an elite has taken control of the country," he said, adding that politicians are "destroying the country: look at what situation we are in, what crisis they have left us in.
"The armed forces intend to restore the democracy, to make it a true democracy."
A second military official is detained following coup attempt
10:30 , Tom Watling
Kremlin says it hopes calm can be restored in Bolivia after attempted coup
11:00 , Tom Watling
The Kremlin has said it hoped calm would be restored in Bolivia in the wake of an attempted coup, after the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the plotters and expressed Moscow’s support for the government of President Luis Arce.
Bolivian armed forces pulled back from the presidential palace in La Paz on Wednesday evening and a general was arrested after Arce slammed a “coup” attempt against the government and called for international support.
“This is an internal Bolivian affair. It is very important that our Bolivian friends deal with their own problems within the framework of constitutional legality,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“We wish that country a speedy return to calm, and we hope that this will be the case. Of course, it is very important that there was no interference by third countries in what happened in Bolivia.”
Bolivian president appears at government palace after failed coup
11:30 , Tom Watling
We have some photos of the pro-government protesters
12:00 , Tom Watling
Below we have some photos showing pro-goverment protesters celebrating outside the palace where a military group tried to stage a coup on Wednesday.
Watch live scenes from Bolivia after attempted coup to overthrow president Luis Arce
12:30 , Tom Watling
Watch live scenes from Bolivia after attempted coup to overthrow president Luis Arce
Bolivia crushes attempted coup as president asks citizens to take to the streets
13:00 , Tom Watling
Bolivia coup attempt thwarted after president asks citizens to take to the streets
EU condems coup attempt
13:30 , Tom Watling
The European Union condemns any attempt to undermine the constitutional order in #Bolivia and overthrow democratically elected governments, and expresses its solidarity with the Bolivian government and people.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) June 26, 2024
European Commission chief condems failed coup
14:00 , Tom Watling
I firmly condemn the attempts to overthrow the democratically elected government of Bolivia.
The European Union stands by democracies.
We express our strong support for the constitutional order and rule of law in Bolivia.— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 26, 2024
Bolivian president pictured with dismissed general who oversaw coup
14:30 , Tom Watling
The picture below shows Bolivian president Luis Arce (2nd R) attending a military event next to Gen. Juan Jose Zuniga (R) who launched the failed coup on Wednesday, in La Paz in April.
Mapped: Bolivia military group stages coup
15:00 , Tom Watling
Dozen military officers arrested following failed coup, local media says
15:25 , Joe Sommerlad
About a dozen Bolivian military officers have been arrested following Wednesday’s attempted coup, a senior government minister has told local television.
They face accusations that could lead to 15 to 30-year prison terms, the officer added.
We’ll bring your more on this as we get it.
Protesters rally in La Paz: ‘Lucho, you are not alone!’
15:55 , Joe Sommerlad
Bolivians chanting in support of the president rallied outside his palace on Thursday, denouncing an abortive coup attempt that had threatened to pitch the long-troubled South American democracy into chaos.
The nation watched in shock and bewilderment on Wednesday as Bolivian military forces appeared to turn on the government of President Luis Arce, seizing control of the capital’s main square with armored personnel carriers, crashing a tank into the presidential palace and unleashing tear gas on protesters.
Bolivia’s embattled President Arce — who has struggled to control a politically paralyzed country reeling from shortages of foreign currency and fuel — awoke Thursday to supporters raising signs that advocated for democracy and condemned the now-ousted Bolivian army chief, General Juan Jose Zuniga, who led Wednesday’s thwarted coup. Riot police still stood sentinel outside palace doors.
Before his arrest late Wednesday, Zuniga alleged without providing evidence that Arce himself had ordered the general to carry out the coup attempt in a ruse to boost the president’s popularity, fueling a frenzy of speculation. Opposition senators and government critics have echoed the accusations, calling the turmoil a “self-coup” — claims strongly denied by the government.
In La Paz’s main Plaza Murillo, just hours after it was filled with tanks and armored vehicles, demonstrators addressed Arce by his nickname, shouting “Lucho, you are not alone!”
Failed overthrow buys Arce time amid Morales threat as locals weigh ‘self-coup’ speculation
16:25 , Joe Sommerlad
Analysts say that the surge of public support, even if fleeting, provides Arce with a badly needed reprieve from the leader’s political rivalry with his erstwhile ally, former president Evo Morales.
Threatening to challenge Arce in 2025 primaries, Morales’ renewed political ambitions have sparked an unprecedented rift in their ruling socialist party.
His vow to run next year, despite a constitutional court ruling, has rattled President Arce, whose popularity has plunged as the country’s foreign currency reserves dwindle, its natural gas exports plummet and its currency peg to the US dollar collapses. The cash crunch has ramped up pressure on Arce to scrap food and fuel subsidies, a combustible political move ahead of elections.
“Arce bought six weeks of improved approval numbers,” said Kathryn Ledebur, director of the Andean Information Network, a Bolivia-based research group. “Bolivia’s democracy remains very fragile, and definitely a great deal more fragile today than it was yesterday.”
Many Bolivians interviewed in the streets accused Arce of orchestrating an elaborate hoax to boost his flagging popularity, as Zuniga alleged. A surge of posts on social media also expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the coup.
“They are playing with the intelligence of the people, because nobody believes that it was a real coup,” said 48-year-old lawyer Evaristo Mamani. “It has been pre-planned, premeditated.”
Louisa Torres, a 56-year-old newspaper vendor, said she also believed it was a “self-coup,” saying, “God will be the judge of it.”
The story behind an extraordinary day in La Paz
16:55 , Joe Sommerlad
Wednesday’s turmoil began earlier this week, defense minister Edmundo Novillo said, when Arce dismissed Zuniga in a private meeting on Tuesday over the army chief’s threats to arrest Morales if he proceeded to join the 2025 race. Arce has also denied the legitimacy of Morales’ presidential bid.
In their meeting, Zuniga gave officials no indication he was preparing to seize power, Novillo said.
“He admitted that he had committed some excesses,” he said of Zuniga. “We said goodbye in the most friendly way, with hugs. Zuniga said that he would always be at the side of the president.”
But mere hours later, panic gripped the capital of La Paz.
Tailed by armored vehicles and supporters, Zuniga burst into government headquarters and declared that he was sick of political infighting. “The armed forces intend to restore democracy,” he said.
Bolivians — though no stranger to political conflict in their country that has witnessed some 190 coups — thronged ATMs, formed long lines outside gas stations and ransacked grocery stores.
The country’s fragmented opposition rejected the coup before it was clear it had failed.
Former interim president Jeanine Anez, detained for her role in Morales’ 2019 ouster, said that soldiers sought to “destroy the constitutional order” but appealed to both Arce and Morales not to run in the 2025 elections.
Santa Cruz governor Luis Fernando Camacho, also detained for allegedly orchestrating a coup in 2019, demanded answers from Arce’s government on Thursday as confusion and conspiracy theories abounded.
“Was it a media spectacle put on by the government itself, as General Zuniga says? Was it just some military madness? Was it simply another example of lack of control?” he wrote on social media platform X.
“What happened yesterday? Explain and show your face, president.”
Ayer los bolivianos vivimos horas de gran incertidumbre.
Un gobierno y una situación como la que vimos ayer, no son el camino para salir de la crisis económica.
El modelo masista está agotado en todo sentido. Y es incapaz de generar estabilidad, liderazgo y soluciones para… pic.twitter.com/HrcLTRwDfg— Luis Fernando Camacho (@LuisFerCamachoV) June 27, 2024
Just before his arrest, Zuniga spoke on national TV, claiming that Arce had asked the general to storm the palace and bring armoured vehicles.
“The president told me: ‘The situation is very screwed up, very critical. It is necessary to prepare something to raise my popularity,’” he quoted the Bolivian leader as saying.
“This has been a set-up,” said Carlos Romero, a former official in the Morales government.
“Zuniga followed the script as he was ordered to.”
Justice Minister Ivan Lima denied Zuniga’s claims, insisting the general was lying to justify his actions.
Prosecutors will seek the maximum sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison for Zuniga on charges of “attacking the constitution,” he said.
Additional reporting by agenices.
