In South America, Bolivia, the army led by General Zúñiga surrounded the government building in La Paz, and Bolivians took to the streets in protest against the large number of security forces.
President Arce calls for military ‘withdrawal’
Bolivian President Luis Arce said some military forces were being mobilised irregularly around the country and called on the military to respect democracy.
“I condemn the irregular mobilization by some elements of the Bolivian armed forces. Democracy must be respected,” Arce said in a statement on his social media account X.
Arce called the people to the square.
After soldiers stormed the government building, President Luis Arce called on citizens to defend democracy against the military uprising.
Addressing the nation, Arce called on people to remain calm and said, “The president of Bolivia and his cabinet are on duty, so I call on the people to defend our democracy. The soldiers should withdraw immediately and return to their duties. I ask you to respect our democracy and the constitution,” he said.
Arce thanked the countries that supported his government, saying, “I salute and thank the heads of state of our brotherly countries who support us. I thank the mayors, governors and police chiefs who defend our democracy. I salute the people who defend our democracy.”
Local media reported that tanks and hooded soldiers evacuated civilians from the capital’s Murillo Square and sealed off the area.
News reports said senior commanders in the Bolivian military were threatening to seize control of the executive branch.
News reports on social media said military forces were stationed around the General Staff Headquarters.
Images posted on social media showed military armoured vehicles trying to enter the government palace in the capital, La Paz.
Civilians who react to the soldiers are intervened with tear gas and pressurized water.
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales announced on his social media accounts that the military was attempting a “coup”.
“A coup is approaching. The commanders of the General Staff have called for an emergency meeting at 3 p.m. I call for a national mobilization of the entire population, urban and rural, to defend democracy. I declare an indefinite general strike,” President Morales said. “We will not allow the military to violate our democracy and intimidate our people,” he said.
The soldiers withdrew on the orders of the newly appointed army commander.
Sanchez, the new military commander appointed by President Luis Arce, made the remarks at a press conference.
Sanchez condemned the uprising by the military and said he “orders all soldiers and personnel who are in the streets and squares to return to their units.”
Sánchez stressed that they had a “grave” responsibility and said, “I am honored to be considered worthy of such a mission. I thank the president and the minister of defense for trusting us. We are facing images that none of us have seen before. As new military commanders, we are against democracy. “I want to tell you that these protests will not be tolerated,” he said.
Media reports alleged that the military uprising was led by former army commander Jose Zuniga, who was fired on June 25.
Zuniga was alleged to have opposed former President Evo Morales’ candidacy in the presidential elections scheduled for 2025 and conveyed his displeasure to the government.
Upon hearing that soldiers led by Zúñiga had seized the Government Palace and were trying to establish a new Council of Ministers, Zúñiga “openly” threatened Morales, saying that “we will not allow him to violate the Constitution and not obey the mandate given to him by the people. The army is the army of the country. We will take back this country from them. Our country cannot continue like this.” He is recorded as using the following expressions:
