This post has been updated.
As Biden’s team is likely preparing what combination of performance-enhancing drugs to inject into the president ahead of Thursday night’s debate with Donald Trump, Bolivia appears to be in chaos. There might be a political leadership change in the coming hours as military forces attempt to storm the presidential palace in La Paz. President Luis Arce warned of “irregular” troop deployments in the capital. That’s quite a way of saying a coup was in progress (via BBC):
A Military Coup appears to be underway in the South American Country of Bolivia, as Elements of the Army have gathered in the Administrative Capital of La Paz; while Soldiers have now Broken-Through the Main Gate to the Home of President Luis Arce, and are Clashing inside with… pic.twitter.com/TKIf5OCF29
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 26, 2024
#BREAKING Coup attempt in Bolivia.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 26, 2024
The army blocked several streets in the capital.
Bolivian General Zuñiga says he has seized power. pic.twitter.com/JzkOv3pAde
The Military Coup in the Bolivian Capital of La Paz, is reportedly being led by Bolivian Army General Juan José Zúñiga, who was Summoned and Dismissed yesterday by President Luis Arce after making Disparaging Remarks in a Local Newspaper Article. pic.twitter.com/k0w5RKpskW
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 26, 2024
Breaking: Bolivia’s presidential palace is being stormed in an apparent military coup attempt. pic.twitter.com/z0Rx3VQyhw
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 26, 2024
The President of Bolivia, Luis Arce has reportedly been taken into Custody by Elements of the Bolivia Army who have entered the Presidential Residence in the Capital of La Paz; with President Arce said to have been seen Arguing with the Leader of the Coup, General Juan José…
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 26, 2024
Bolivia's presidential palace has been rammed by an armoured vehicle, with soldiers reportedly storming the inside as the country's ex-president warned of an unfolding "coup".
President Luis Arce demanded democracy be "respected", while former president Evo Morales accused General Juan José Zúñiga of planning to seize power, calling on supporters to strike and block roads.
The El Deber newspaper quoted Gen Zúñiga as telling reporters from Murillo Square after it was taken by troops: "We are going to recover this homeland."
But President Arce denounced what he called "irregular" troop movements, saying "democracy must be respected".
In more pointed language, Mr Morales wrote: “A group of the Challapata Special Regiment ‘Mendez Arcos’ took over Plaza Murillo with snipers.
"This seems to indicate that they prepared the coup d'état in advance.
"I ask democratically-minded people to defend the homeland from certain military groups that act against democracy and the people."
Bolivian minister Maria Nela Prada published a video on her Facebook account showing the view from a window in a government building.
She said she was witnessing a “coup attempt”.
We'll keep you updated.
UPDATE: The coup has been defeated, with President Arce re-establishing control and placing Gen. Zuniga under arrest (via NYT):
So far the ongoing Military Coup in Bolivia appears to be Mainly Peaceful, and since the Army doesn’t appear to have any Major Grievances hopefully it will remain Peaceful. There is still hope that the Coup can End without any Major Upheaval or Bloodshed.
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 26, 2024
Footage from earlier showing the Argument and Face-Off between the President of Bolivia, Luis Arce and the Leader of the ongoing Military Coup, General Juan José Zúñiga. During the Argument, Arce orders for Zúñiga to Immediately Withdraw the Troops which he Refuses. pic.twitter.com/RrgCqU8jGK
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 26, 2024
The Leader of Failed Military Coup today in Bolivia, General Juan José Zúñiga was just Arrested by Special Police on Charges of Terrorism and Inciting a Rebellion, while on Live Television being Interviewed by the Media. pic.twitter.com/JkGcGRzS2Y
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 26, 2024
The New Commander of the Bolivian Army, General José Wilson Sánchez, who was just Appointed by President Luis Arce, has ordered for all of the Military Units currently in the Capital of La Paz to Return to their Bases. pic.twitter.com/efFwbr56WC
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 26, 2024
Just shows that attempting a Military Coup with an Army that is already Content and doesn’t have any Motives is pretty much Impossible, even more so if you don’t tell them it’s a Coup. https://t.co/O8K3WbadR4
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 26, 2024
After trying to storm the presidential palace in Bolivia on Wednesday, members of the country’s military, led by a top general, quickly retreated in an apparent failed attempt at a coup.
Video on Bolivian television showed security forces in riot gear occupying the main square in the administrative capital, La Paz, a camouflaged military vehicle ramming a palace door and soldiers trying to make their way into the palace.
Then, just as quickly as they had appeared, the general, Juan José Zuñiga disappeared, and his supporters in the armed forces pulled back and were replaced by police officers supporting the country’s democratically elected president, Luis Arce.
[...]
In all, the attempted afternoon incursion into the palace lasted just three hours. As the hours wore on, it became clear that General Zuñiga’s plan had little support and he was later taken into custody.
