Members of the Bolivian military attempted to storm the presidential palace in the capital, La Paz, on Wednesday afternoon in an apparent coup attempt led by a top official who has declared he is leading the “restoration of democracy.”
The country's democratically elected President, Luis Arce, appeared on television shortly afterwards and called on Bolivians to “organize and rally against this coup and in support of democracy.”
“Long live the Bolivian people!” he shouted. “Long live democracy!”
Footage broadcast on Bolivian television showed security forces in riot gear taking over Plaza Murillo, the country's main political square, and camouflage tanks crashing into the palace doors as soldiers tried to enter.
Gen. Juan José Zúñiga briefly entered the building before emerging and speaking surrounded by masked security forces, local reporters said. He criticized the leftist Arce government and said the military was trying to establish “a real democracy, not a democracy for the few.”
He also called for the release of several jailed politicians and military personnel, including former President Genine Áñez and former Governor Luis Fernando Camacho, both of whom are political opponents of President Arce.
“Enough with rule by the few,” the general said. “Look at what it has gotten us into! No future for our children, no future for our people, and no lack of courage in the military to fight for the tomorrow of our children.”
Shortly thereafter, President Arce announced he was replacing the military commander, General Zuniga, as well as the heads of the air force and navy.
Local media reported that General Zuniga was fired this week, with some in the country saying this may have been linked to comments he made about former President Evo Morales, who was Mr Arce's mentor.
The new commander, Jose Wilson Sánchez Velázquez, appointed by President Arce, urged Zúñiga in a televised statement to “stop shedding the blood of our soldiers.”
The move was immediately criticized by some leaders in the region, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. “There has never been a successful coup,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
In 2019, facing violent protests and pressure from the military, Morales and other leaders resigned and fled the country, and Áñez, a right-wing senator, became president. But in the next election a year later, voters overwhelmingly chose Morales' handpicked successor, Arce.