Bolivia: President Arce foils coup – putschists face up to 30 years in prison

Bolivia president contradicts coup allegations and strengthens army

La Paz (dpa) – Recent events in Bolivia caused unrest among the population as renegade military officers attempted to overthrow the government. President Luis Arc has now firmly replied that he had no involvement in any coup attempt. In his first press conference after the events, he stressed that the Putschists acted on his own initiative and he has no connection with them.

When the derailed military occupied the main square of La Paz with tanks and attacked the government palace, President Arce took a firm stand and dismissed the entire leadership of the armed forces. The new commanders of the armed forces then ordered a withdrawal to calm the situation.

After the arrest of 17 military officers, including the leaders General Juan José Zúñiga and Vice Admiral Juan Arnez Salvador, Bolivia's Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo stressed at a press conference that the anti-democratic network would be broken up. The coup plotters face up to 30 Years Detention because they are accused of armed insurrection and attacks.

The background to the coup attempt and the political impact

There is speculation that the coup attempt was aimed at preventing former head of state Evo Morales from running for president again. Morales, who had to resign under pressure from the military, plans to run again in 2025 despite court rulings. President Arce and Morales are fighting for power in the ruling MAS party, but Arce stressed that he had even warned his rival Morales about the coup plotters.

After the failed coup, many demonstrators expressed their solidarity with the government and took to the streets to stand up for democratic principles. Roadblocks were set up between La Paz and its sister city, El Alto, to send a signal against any threat to democracy.

The events in Bolivia once again highlighted the fragile political situation in the South American country and the ongoing power struggles for leadership. President Arce stressed that he was determined to preserve Bolivia's stability and democracy and to take action against illegal coup attempts.