Bolivia coup: Army chief arrested after rebellion as president urges people to take to the streets

Commander Juan Jose Zuniga detained on suspicion of terrorism after armed uprising in La Paz as President Luis Arce replaces military chiefs and thanks public for support

Truck rams gates of Bolivia’s presidential palace in La Paz

A senior Bolivian general was arrested after armoured vehicles rammed the doors of the government palace in La Paz on Wednesay in what President Luis Arce called an attempted coup.

Forces led by army chief General Juan Jose Zuniga appeared to take control of Mr Arce’s government as they vowed to “restore democracy” but the president vowed to hold firm and swiftly named a new military commander, who immediately ordered the troops to stand down.

The soldiers duly pulled back, along with a line of military vehicles, ending the rebellion after three chaotic hours, as hundreds of Mr Arce’s supporters rushed the square outside the palace, waving Bolivian flags, singing the national anthem and cheering.

Government minister Eduardo del Castillo said former Vice Admiral Juan Arnez Salvador was also taken into custody.

“What was this group’s goal? The goal was to overturn the democratically elected authority,” Mr del Castillo told journalists in announcing the arrests.

The apparent coup attempt came after the South American nation of 12m people faced months of tensions between Mr Arce and his one-time ally, former leftist president Evo Morales, over control of the ruling party.

It also came amid a severe economic crisis.

Key Points

• Bolivian president thwarts coup attempt as armed forces withdraw from palace
• President Arce thanks supporters
• Dozen military officers arrested following failed coup, local media says
• Failed overthrow buys Arce time amid Morales threat as locals weigh ‘self-coup’ speculation
• The story behind an extraordinary day in La Paz

[26 June 2024 22:37 · Graeme Massie]

Bolivia coup live blog

This is a live blog covering the attempted military coup in La Paz, Bolivia.

[26 June 2024 22:38 · Graeme Massie]

Coup attempt in Bolivia as president warns of “irregular” military deployment in capital

Former Bolivian president Evo Morales denounced the movement of the military in the Murillo square outside the palace.

[26 June 2024 22:39 · Graeme Massie]

Pictures of scene in La Paz

(AP)

Soldiers stand guard outside the presidential palace in Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (AP)

[26 June 2024 22:43 · Graeme Massie]

Political crisis unfolding in Bolivia

Soldiers walk amid tear gas they fired outside the Legislative Assembly in Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (AP)

Military Police stand amid tear gas they fired outside the presidential palace in Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (AP)

[26 June 2024 22:45 · Graeme Massie]

Video of military coup in Bolvia hits social media

Incredible! Another coup attempt in Bolivia.

The US empire is at it again? 🤔

Their Lithium is not yours, a-holes! pic.twitter.com/gHeZ3QtKQa

— S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) June 26, 2024

[26 June 2024 22:49 · Graeme Massie]

Scenes of military coup in Bolivia

URGENT: Coup attempt is underway in Bolivia right now. People’s movements are calling for mass mobilization to stop this attack on democracy.

This is the 2nd coup since 2019 which overthrew Evo Morales in a plot supported by U.S. govt & Elon Musk pic.twitter.com/yxBrEsjzGl

— Manolo De Los Santos (@manolo_realengo) June 26, 2024

[26 June 2024 23:00 · Graeme Massie]

Latest scenes from streets of La Paz

Military members stand guard with an armored truck outside the government palace at Plaza Murillo on June 26, 2024 in La Paz, Bolivia (Getty Images)

Military troops fire tear gas at people outside the Quemado Palace at Plaza Murillo in La Paz on June 26, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

Military troops in armored vehicles fire tear gas at people outside the Quemado Palace at Plaza Murillo in La Paz on June 26, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

[26 June 2024 23:04 · Graeme Massie]

President reportedly says general arrested by his own troops

President Luis Arce has reportedly said that general commander of the Army, Juan José Zúñiga, was arrested by his own troops when they realized he was carrying out a military coup.

The President of Bolivia, Luis Arce has just stated during a Press Conference that the Leader of the Coup d'état in the Capital of La Paz, General Juan José Zúñiga has been Arrested by his own Troops after they realized he was conducting a Coup against the Government; with all… pic.twitter.com/1Z850U8uCK

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 26, 2024

[26 June 2024 23:05 · Graeme Massie]

Truck rams gates of Bolivia presidential palace

[26 June 2024 23:23 · Graeme Massie]

President replaces attempted coup leader and others military heads

Following the attempted coup President Luis Arce announced he had replaced General Zuñiga, the commander general of the armed forces, as well as the heads of the air force and navy, reported the New York Times.