Coup fears rise in Bolivia as military enters the capital
Bolivian armed forces took over the capital’s central square sparking fears of a military coup in La Paz on Wednersday.
Unverified videos across social media showed an armored vehicle rammed through the entrance to the presidential palace followed by soldiers rushing into Murillo Square in the centre of the capital.
In a video message surrounded by his Cabinet, Bolivian President Luis Arce said that he was standing firm against an attempted coup and denounced the “irregular mobilization” of some army units.
He said: “The country is facing an attempted coup d’état. Here we are, firm in Casa Grande, to confront any coup attempt. We need the Bolivian people to organize.”
Former President Evo Morales echoed his concerns, claiming a “coup” was taking place under the direction of general Juan Jose Zuniga, the BBC reports.
Mr Morales added: “A group of the Challapata Special Regiment ‘Mendez Arcos’ took over Plaza Murillo with snipers.
“This seems to indicate that they prepared the coup d’etat in advance.
“I ask democratically-minded people to defend the homeland from certain military groups that act against democracy and the people.”
The incident was met with a wave of outrage by leaders across South America, including Chile, Honduras and Brazil.
Posting on X/ Twitter, Brazilian President Lula Da Silva said: “Brazil’s position is clear. I am a lover of democracy and I want it to prevail throughout Latin America. We condemn any form of coup d’état in Bolivia and reaffirm our commitment to the people and democracy in our sister country, presided over Arce.”
Bolivia, a country of 12 million people, has seen intensifying protests in recent months due to anger of economic decline from one of the continent’s fastest-growing two decades ago to one of its most impoverished.
The country has also seen a high-profile rift at the highest levels of the governing party. Arce and his one-time ally, leftist icon and former President Morales, have been battling for the future of Bolivia’s splintering Movement for Socialism, known by its Spanish acronym MAS, ahead of elections in 2025.
This story will be updated.
