The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, denounced this Wednesday that “irregular mobilizations of some units of the Bolivian Army” are taking place. Former president Evo Morales denounced that “a coup d’état is brewing” and put behind him the head of the Army, Juan José Zuñiga, dismissed this Tuesday after warning that he would not allow a new government by the leader of the Movement towards Socialism. The military is taking over the Government Palace. They forced the doors of the palace with an armored car. President Arce is not there, but in the Casa Grande del Pueblo, an adjacent building.
Juan José Zúñiga declared to the press in Plaza Murillo, in front of the Palacio Quemado, seat of the Executive branch, that “the mobilization of all military units” seeks to express his annoyance “at the situation in the country.” “Enough is enough. “There is this disloyalty,” he said. He also stated that he continues to obey President Luis Arce “for now,” but that he will take measures to “change the Government Cabinet.”
The Minister of Public Works, Edgar Montaño, pointed out that this is a protest by the Army Command and that the Government is going to defend democracy. Vice Minister Jorge Silva, for his part, said that the entire Arce Cabinet is located in the State House. “We call to defend democracy.”
We denounce that a Group of the Challapata Special Regiment “Mendez Arcos” took over Plaza Murillo with snipers. This seems to indicate that they prepared the Coup in advance.
I ask the people with a democratic vocation to defend the Homeland from some groups…— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) June 26, 2024
The military in Murillo Square launches tear gas and pellets against a group of citizens who shout “I fight, you are not alone.” Several calls are being made to the population to come out and reject the military coup in progress.
Zúñiga lost his position on Tuesday after a series of threats against Morales. “He can no longer be president of this country. If necessary,” he said, “I will not allow you to trample on the Constitution, to disobey the mandate of the people.” In a high tone, he noted that the Armed Forces are “the armed arm of the people, the armed arm of the country.”
News in development.
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