National crisis - Showdown in Bolivia: Generals fail with military coup
In Bolivia, disloyal military personnel challenged the government and attempted a coup. However, President Luis Arce managed to thwart the coup attempt in the South American country. The main culprits were arrested and are expected to be brought before court soon.
For a few hours, Bolivia was on the brink of a constitutional crisis: Soldiers stormed a central square in La Paz, armored vehicles rammed the gates of the Government Palace. President Arce and the disloyal General Juan José Zúñiga faced each other on the grounds of the Quemado Palace. "Retreat all soldiers. That is an order," the President called out. "Will you not obey me?"
Shortly after the confrontation, Arce relieved the Army Chief of Staff of his duties and replaced the entire military leadership. The new heads of the branches of the military ordered the troops to withdraw from the inner city of La Paz. "I thank the Bolivian people," Arce declared from the balcony of the Government Palace. "We will defend democracy and the will of the Bolivian people - whatever it takes."
Coup leaders face up to 30 years in prison
The Prosecutor General launched investigations against the former heads of the Army and Navy, General Juan José Zúñiga and Vice Admiral Juan Arnez Salvador, for their role in the coup attempt. According to media reports, they are accused of terrorism and armed insurrection against the security and sovereignty of the country. In the event of a conviction, they face up to 30 years in prison.
In Bolivia, generals have seized power numerous times. In the 1960s to 1980s, the military staged dozens of coups. Since its independence in 1825, the country has lived under military rule for almost 100 years.
Under Zúñiga's command, soldiers had taken over the central Murillo Square in La Paz. The dramatic moments passed without bloodshed, according to government reports. Nine people were injured. "The commanders of the armed forces (...) spread fear and terror, and they used weapons against life, humanity, and the integrity of the Bolivian people," Bolivia's Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo wrote on X.
Unclear motive for the coup attempt
The motive for the coup attempt was initially unclear. "Enough of the impoverishment of our homeland, enough of the humiliation of the military. We have come to express our anger," General Zúñiga said as he approached the Government Palace.
Later, Zúñiga hinted that his coup had been coordinated with President Arce himself. "The President told me that the situation was very bad. It was necessary to prepare something to boost his popularity," Zúñiga said on TV before his arrest. "I asked him, 'Shall we bring out the tanks?' and he replied, 'Bring them out'." The government denied this account. "Zúñiga's goal was to seize power in the country against the will of the people," Interior Minister Del Castillo said.
Perhaps the coup attempt was directed against a new Presidency bid by the former president of Bolivia, Evo Morales (2006-2019). Reports indicate that Zuniiga said Morales should not return as President, and threatened to obstruct him in this case. Novillo, the Defense Minister, stated that Zuniiga was informed on Tuesday evening that he had to resign due to these statements.
Morales and Arce are fighting for power
The leftist President Morales - the first indigenous President of Bolivia - stepped down in 2019 under military pressure, as the opposition and international election observers accused him of electoral fraud. Despite being forbidden to do so in several court rulings, Morales intends to run for President again in 2025. Currently, Morales and his former ally Arce are vying for power in the MAS government party.
Bolivia is one of the structurally weakest countries in Latin America. The interior has approximately 12 million inhabitants and is about three times the size of Germany. Around half of the Bolivians belong to indigenous communities. Therefore, Bolivia, after Guatemala, is the Latin American country with the second largest indigenous population. Due to the poor economic situation, social protests occur regularly.
Morales also condemned the coup attempt immediately. "We are convinced that democracy is the only way to resolve differences and that institutions and the rule of law must be respected," he wrote on X. "We reaffirm our demand that all involved in this crime be arrested and brought before the court."
International support strengthens Arce's position
International organizations and the heads of several Latin American Presidencies expressed their solidarity with the democratically elected government of Bolivia. "I condemn unequivocally the attempts to overthrow the democratically elected government of Bolivia," EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on the platform X. The European Union stands with the democracies.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all actors in Bolivian society, including the military, to uphold the constitutional order of the country and maintain a "climate of peace." The Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, wrote on X: "For democracy: everything. For violence: nothing."
- The coup attempt in Bolivia was a test of strength between President Arce and General Zúñiga.
- The coup attempt in the 1980s was not the first time generals in Bolivia attempted to seize power.
- General Zúñiga’s motive for the coup attempt was initially unclear, but he later hinted at a coordination with President Arce.
- The Bolivian government accused General Zúñiga and Vice Admiral Salvador of terrorism and armed insurrection.
- The coup leaders are facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted for their role in the coup attempt.
- President Morales, who was replaced by Arce in 2019, also condemned the coup attempt and called for the involvement to be brought before court.
- International organizations and Latin American presidents expressed their solidarity with the democratically elected government of Bolivia, strengthening Arce’s position.
- The coup attempt came amidst political conflicts and regular social protests, highlighting the challenges facing Bolivia's democracy.
- Despite being forbidden to run, former President Morales continues to vie for power in the MAS government party, creating tension with Arce.
