Apparent coup attempt underway in Bolivia as troops block government palace
A group of Bolivian military officials took over the main square in La Paz on Wednesday in an apparent coup attempt against President Luis Arce.
Arce denounced the military presence in Plaza Murillo through a post on the social platform X, writing “democracy must be respected.”
In video shown on Bolivian television, Arce confronted Gen. Juan José Zúñiga, who is leading the rebellion, in the hallways of the Palacio Quemado, the government palace, according to The Associated Press.
“I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.
Zúñiga had been relieved of his post as commander general of the Bolivian army a day earlier.
A live TikTok post by Bolivia TV showed a group of soldiers and military police entering the government palace, in front of which a military armored vehicle was parked.
Protesters supporting Arce filled some streets leading to the square, chanting pro-Arce slogans.
The military deployed some form of riot control gas, according to the live feed.
Organization of American States Secretary-General Luis Almagro posted on X to express solidarity with Acre’s government and condemn the army’s actions.
Bolivian Sen. Virginia Velasco Condori, who served as minister of justice under former President Evo Morales, spoke to reporters outside the neighboring Legislative Assembly on Plaza Murillo.
“The guilty party here is Mr. Evo Morales, he is behind this coup d’état,” said Velasco.
—Updated at 4:57 p.m.
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