BOLIVIA CITY, Bolivia –
A dramatic scene unfolded when armored vehicles stormed Bolivia‘s government palace on Wednesday, led by a senior general with a pledge to ‘restore the democratic order.’ President Luis Arce condemned the incident as an attempted coup, yet the army’s withdrawal brought a swift end to the crisis amid the country’s deepening political and economic turmoil.
Within hours, the 12-million-strong country witnessed a whirlwind of events, with military forces briefly regaining control under the leadership of General Luis Martínez. President Arce, defiant in his stance, immediately appointed a new army commander, who immediately ordered the troops to stand down.
The sudden withdrawal of troops along with a convoy of military vehicles effectively ended the rebellion after only a three-hour standoff. Hundreds of Arce’s supporters poured into the palace square celebrating, waving flags and singing the national anthem.
After the troops withdrew, Attorney General Marisol Cuevas launched an investigation that led to the arrest of General Martínez, citing his role in the unrest. Government spokeswoman Ana Ramírez confirmed that Vice Admiral Roberto Navarro was also detained in connection with the incident.
“In a briefing to journalists, del Castillo declared, ‘Their objective was to overthrow the democratically elected leadership.’ The statement came as he announced arrests in connection with the incident.
Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo later reassured the public, saying, ‘The situation is now completely under control.’ Novillo, along with newly appointed military leaders selected by President Arce, described the event as a ‘failed coup’ in Bolivia.
The apparent attempt to seize power comes amid prolonged political tension and conflict within his ruling party between Arce and his former ally, former President Evo Morales. These tensions coincided with a severe economic recession, further complicating government efforts.
Political impasse has hampered efforts to address the economic crisis. In particular, Morales’ allies in Congress have consistently blocked Arce’s proposals to take on debt as a measure to ease fiscal pressures.
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Zuniga alluded to this stalemate during the rebellion, telling reporters that the army was tired of internal strife and that its goal was to ‘renew democracy.
He commented, ‘We are hearing people’s anger because for too long a privileged few have dominated our country.’ He stressed that political factions ‘are ruining our country: just look at the dire situation and crisis they have left us in.
Outlining their mission, he affirmed, ‘The armed forces are committed to restoring genuine democracy.
The crisis began in the afternoon when the streets of La Paz were filled with soldiers. President Arce immediately condemned the deployment of troops on Twitter as irregular, with other political figures also condemning what they described as an attempted coup.
However, the alleged attempt to remove the president from office appeared to lack sufficient support, prompting even Arce’s political opponents to unite in defense of democracy and condemnation of the rebellion.
Adding a twist to the narrative, Zúñiga told journalists before his arrest that President Arce himself had instructed him to attack the palace as a political ploy. Zuniga quoted Arce as saying, ‘The president told me: “The situation is very chaotic, very serious. We need to do something to increase our popularity.”
According to Zuniga, he asked Arce for clarification, asking, ‘Should I bring out the armored vehicles?’ To which Arce reportedly responded, ‘Bring them out.’
Justice Minister Iván Lima rejected Zúñiga’s claims, calling them lies intended to justify his actions, to which Lima insisted he would face legal consequences.
Lima social media platform
The spectacle stunned Bolivians, who have seen political turmoil before; In 2019, President Morales was ousted amid the previous crisis.
As events unfolded on Wednesday, President Arce confronted Zuniga in a palace corridor, captured on Bolivian television. “I am your commander, and I order you to withdraw your troops. I will not tolerate this disobedience,” Arce insisted.
With ministers surrounding him, Arce reaffirmed, “We stand firm here in the Casa Grande to confront any coup attempt. We call on the Bolivian people to mobilize.”
Less than an hour later, Arce unveiled new commanders for the army, navy and air force amid the cheers of his supporters, and expressed gratitude to Bolivia’s police and regional allies for their steadfast support. He condemned the soldiers who rebelled against him and accused them of tarnishing the reputation of the army.
Newly appointed Army Chief of Staff José Wilson Sánchez announced, “I order all those who have been mobilized to return to their positions.” “The scenes we are seeing on the streets are unacceptable.”
Shortly afterwards, armored vehicles drove through the square carrying hundreds of military personnel, while police in riot gear set up barricades around the government palace.
The incident was widely condemned by the Organization of American States, regional leaders including Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Honduran leaders, and former Bolivian presidents.
Gustavo Flores-Macías, a Cornell University professor who specializes in Latin American government and public policy, stressed the importance of continued global condemnation of the coup attempt as events escalated.
“If we allow the constitutional order to be disrupted in Bolivia, it could set a dangerous precedent,” warned Gustavo Flores-Macias in an interview with The Associated Press from New York. “This may indicate that if it can happen in Bolivia, it can happen elsewhere.”
Protests have grown in Bolivia in recent months due to the dramatic decline of its economy, which has gone from one of Latin America’s fastest-growing economies two decades ago to one of its most deeply troubled.
President Arce and former President Morales are engaged in a conflict over the future direction of Bolivia’s fragmented Movement for Socialism (MAS) ahead of 2025 elections.
After Wednesday’s turmoil, local media reports showed Bolivians rushing to stockpile food and essential items amid concerns about what might happen next.
However, speaking to supporters outside the presidential palace, Vice President David Choquehuanca declared, “The Bolivian people will never again tolerate coup attempts.”
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