Bolivia: Coup attempt in La Paz fails, general arrested

LA PAZ, Bolivia – Bolivian forces withdrew from the presidential palace in La Paz on Wednesday night and a general was arrested after President Luis Arce condemned an attempted coup against the government and called for international support.

Earlier in the day, military units led by General Juan José Zuniga, who was recently relieved of his military command, had gathered in the central Plaza Murillo, where the presidential palace and Congress are located. A Reuters witness saw an armored vehicle ram a door of the presidential palace and soldiers rush inside.

“Today the country is facing an attempted coup. Today the country is once again facing interests that want to destroy democracy in Bolivia,” Arce said from the presidential palace, in front of which armed soldiers were stationed.

“The Bolivian people are called upon today. We need the Bolivian people to organize and mobilize for democracy against the coup.”

A few hours later, a Reuters witness saw soldiers retreat from the square and police take control of the square. Bolivian authorities arrested Zuniga and took him away, but their destination was unclear.

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