Zuniga had solely lately been faraway from his publish as commander of the army. Army items underneath his command had gathered on Wednesday night with armored automobiles within the central sq. Plaza Murillo in La Paz, the place the presidential palace and the congress are positioned.
In response to eyewitnesses, they rammed a door of the presidential palace. After that, a number of troopers stormed into the constructing. The brand new army commander, José Wilson Sánchez, was simply being sworn in within the presidential palace. He referred to as for peace and order to be restored. “I order all forces mobilized on the streets to return to their items,” stated Sánchez, including: “We ask that the blood of our troopers not be shed.” In response to eyewitnesses, the army apparently adopted Sánchez’s request. They withdrew and the police regained management of the sq..
Legal investigation
President Luis Arce condemned the actions of former Common Zuniga and the army items as an tried coup in opposition to the federal government and instantly requested for worldwide help. “Right now the nation is going through an tried coup. Right now the nation is as soon as once more going through pursuits which are curbing democracy in Bolivia,” stated Arce. The Bolivian public prosecutor’s workplace stated it might open a felony investigation in opposition to Zuniga and different contributors.
Heads of state and authorities within the area initially condemned the troopers’ actions. The President of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, declared: “The armed forces have as soon as once more carried out a felony coup.” She referred to as on the members of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to sentence the fascism that has attacked democracy in Bolivia. The President of Paraguay, Santiago Pena, referred to as for democracy and the rule of legislation to be revered. His counterpart in Chile, Gabriel Boric, expressed concern. A violation of the constitutional order should not be tolerated. “We condemn the tried coup in Bolivia within the strongest doable phrases. We absolutely help President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora,” declared Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador at X.
Tensions and uncertainties
Tensions have escalated in Bolivia forward of parliamentary elections in 2025. Leftist ex-President Evo Morales plans to run in opposition to his former ally Arce, making a deep rift within the ruling Socialist Social gathering and larger political uncertainty. Morales, chief of the ruling Socialist MAS get together, stated his supporters would mobilize in help of democracy. After the coup try, public help for Arce and Bolivian democracy was shared by leaders within the area and past. Conservative political opponents of the federal government in Bolivia additionally condemned the army motion, together with ex-President Jeanine Anez. “I absolutely reject the mobilization of the army in Plaza Murillo in an try to destroy the constitutional order,” she wrote on X.
Criticism from EU
Criticism additionally got here from EU leaders. “I firmly condemn the makes an attempt to overthrow the democratically elected authorities of Bolivia,” wrote EU Fee President Ursula von der Leyen on X. The European Union stands by the facet of democracies. “We specific our sturdy help for the constitutional order and the rule of legislation in Bolivia.”
EU Council President Charles Michel posted on X: “I strongly condemn the army rebellion in opposition to the Bolivian constitutional order and the democratically elected authorities of President Arce.” The European Union helps democracy and the Bolivian folks.
EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell stated the European Union condemns any try to undermine the constitutional order and overthrow democratically elected governments. He expressed solidarity with the Bolivian authorities and the Bolivian folks, he wrote on X.
