Bolivian authorities detained the general who was allegedly behind a military coup plot aimed at overthrowing President Luis Arce, as per reports from state media.
Juan Jose Zuniga, the recently ousted army commander, was captured by police and escorted into a police vehicle while interacting with journalists outside a military facility, as shown in video footage.
Following the incident, President Arce took to the public to voice his concerns about the attempted coup by the military. “We condemn the unauthorized movements of certain Bolivian Army units. The principles of democracy must be upheld,” he stated.
Under the command of General Juan Jose Zuniga, military forces gathered in Plaza Murillo, the central square where the presidential palace and Congress are located. According to Reuters, an armored vehicle forcefully broke through a door of the presidential palace, with soldiers swiftly entering.
“The people of Bolivia are called upon today. We urge the citizens to come together and stand against the coup in support of democracy,” he declared.
Subsequently, Bolivian military troops, accompanied by armored vehicles, withdrew from the presidential palace in La Paz.
