By D. Maan, Jadetimes News
Political Turmoil in Bolivia: Attempted Coup, Arrests, and Presidential Response
In La Paz, Bolivia, on Wednesday evening, the armed forces retreated from the presidential palace following President Luis Arce's condemnation of an alleged coup attempt and his plea for international support. Earlier in the day, military units under the command of General Juan Jose Zuniga, recently relieved of his duties, assembled in Plaza Murillo, a hub housing both the presidential palace and Congress. Witnesses reported seeing an armored vehicle forcefully enter the palace, with soldiers swiftly moving in.
Addressing the nation from within the palace, President Arce declared a dire situation, calling for Bolivians to mobilize against what he described as an assault on democracy. Hours later, soldiers withdrew from the plaza, yielding control to the police, who subsequently apprehended General Zuniga. Inside the palace, Arce appointed José Wilson Sanchez as the new military commander, emphasizing the need for calm and restoration of order.
The United States expressed vigilance over the unfolding events, advocating for restraint amidst mounting tensions ahead of Bolivia's 2025 general elections. The political landscape has been fraught with division, notably with former President Evo Morales's intention to challenge Arce, further fracturing the ruling socialist party and intensifying uncertainty.
The backdrop to these events includes public resistance to Morales's potential return, stemming from his tenure marked by protests leading to his ousting in 2019 and subsequent election of Arce in 2020. Zuniga's recent statements opposing Morales's candidacy and criticizing economic conditions in Bolivia preceded his removal from office by Arce.
In his public remarks before the palace incident, Zuniga underscored widespread discontent in Bolivia, citing economic challenges and advocating for a new governmental approach. These developments underscore a volatile political climate exacerbated by economic pressures and divergent political aspirations.
International and Domestic Reactions to Bolivia's Political Crisis
Following the tumultuous events in Bolivia, there has been widespread condemnation and reactions from various quarters, both domestically and internationally.
Former President Evo Morales, leader of the ruling MAS socialist party, vowed that his supporters would mobilize to defend democracy against what he termed as armed forces' attempts to undermine it. Morales emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles and preventing intimidation.
In response to the incident, Bolivia's public prosecutor's office announced plans to initiate a criminal investigation against General Juan Jose Zuniga and other individuals implicated in the alleged coup attempt.
Support for President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora and Bolivia's democratic institutions poured in from regional leaders and beyond. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador expressed strong condemnation of the attempted coup and reiterated Mexico's full support for President Arce.
Even political opponents of the Bolivian government, including former President Jeanine Anez, who herself faced political turmoil and imprisonment in 2022, denounced the military's actions. Anez condemned the mobilization of military forces in Plaza Murillo, emphasizing the importance of preserving constitutional order and advocating for democratic processes to determine leadership changes in 2025.
These reactions underscore the deep political divisions and heightened tensions in Bolivia, highlighting the significance of maintaining stability and democratic norms in the country's political landscape.