Bolivia coup attempt fails after military assault on presidential palace

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Bolivia coup attempt fails after military assault on presidential palace​

LA PAZ, June 26 (Reuters) - Bolivian armed forces pulled back from the presidential palace in La Paz on Wednesday evening and a general was arrested after President Luis Arce slammed a "coup" attempt against the government and called for international support.

Earlier in the day, military units led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, recently stripped of his military command, had gathered in the central Plaza Murillo square, home to the presidential palace and Congress. A Reuters witness saw an armored vehicle ram a door of the presidential palace and soldiers rush in.

"Today the country is facing an attempted coup d'état. Today the country faces once again interests so that democracy in Bolivia is cut short," Arce said in comments from the presidential palace, with armed soldiers outside.

"The Bolivian people are summoned today. We need the Bolivian people to organize and mobilize against the coup d'état in favor of democracy."

A few hours later, a Reuters witness saw soldiers withdraw from the square and police take control of the plaza. Bolivian authorities arrested Zuniga and took him away, though their destination was unclear.

More:

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolivias-president-slams-irregular-mobilization-army-units-2024-06-26/

 

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Who is Bolivia's President Luis Arce? Former economist survives coup attempt​

June 26 (Reuters) - Bolivian President Luis Arce, a mild-mannered and bespectacled former economy minister, faced down a coup attempt on Wednesday, as the armed forces withdrew after occupying the central square in La Paz and entering the presidential palace.

Arce, 60, won election in 2020 after a period of deep political turmoil. A ballot the year before was marred by allegations of fraud, which sparked widespread protests and the eventual resignation of then-President Evo Morales.

Former allies and colleagues, Arce and Morales have since become political rivals. Both are eyeing a presidential run in an election next year, and each leads a faction of the dominant Movement to Socialism (MAS) political party.

A court ruling against Morales' running again fueled protests this year that blocked the country's main highway and hurt the economy. Shortages of dollars and fuel have also caused damage as the landlocked country's gas output and exports fell.

More:

Who is Bolivia's President Luis Arce? Former economist survives coup attempt

Luis Arce won the election in 2020 after a period of deep political turmoil.

www.reuters.com

 

[nickndfl]

 

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Bolivia’s president accused of plotting coup against himself to boost popularity

Opponents say abortive raid on palace by angry ex-army chief was a stunt to bolster support

www.theguardian.com

 

[Goldhedge]

Bolivia’s president accused of plotting coup against himself to boost popularity

Opponents say abortive raid on palace by angry ex-army chief was a stunt to bolster support

www.theguardian.com

Did he live in Michigan per chance??

 

[WinkWink]

 

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Wild stuff happening in Bolivia:

Supporters of former Bolivian president Evo Morales blocked two major roads and clashed with police on Monday over the ex-leader's possible arrest in the coming days over allegations that he raped a teenage girl.

The blockages, which the protesters said would be indefinite, began at dawn and are concentrated on two roads that connect the department of Cochabamba -- where Morales spends most of his time -- with the cities of Sucre and Santa Cruz.

"This afternoon, tomorrow and into the next few days, the entire country will be blocked," Ponciano Santos, secretary of a trade union involved in the protest, told the press.

In the town of Parotani on the road leading to La Paz, protesters clashed with police who used tear gas to subdue them. Police confirmed reports that at least six people had been arrested.

Organisers said in a statement that they had mobilized "to protect the freedom, integrity and (prevent) the kidnapping" of Morales.

The 64-year-old is accused of rape, human trafficking and human smuggling over his alleged sexual relationship with a 15-year-old member of his political youth guard in 2015.

In 2016, the girl gave birth to a daughter, whom Morales is accused of fathering.

On Thursday, he failed to comply with a prosecutor's summons to give a statement, which could lead to an order for his arrest.

The prosecutor in charge of the investigation, Sandra Gutierrez, declined to answer journalists' questions on Monday as to whether she would ask for Morales's arrest.

"For reasons of investigative strategy, we will avoid giving further details about the case," she said.

However the alleged victim's father was arrested on Friday for similarly failing to comply with a summons and placed in pretrial detention for four months.

The girl's parents are suspected of having enrolled her in Morales's youth wing with the aim of political advancement and personal gain in exchange for their daughter.
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Supporters of Bolivia ex-leader Morales block key roads to protest against his possible arrest

Supporters of ex-Bolivian president Evo Morales on Monday blocked key roads in the central department of Cochabamba, clashing with police over his possible arrest for alleged rape of a minor. The protests…

www.france24.com

Bolivia’s economy is “on the brink of collapse” as companies go bankrupt amid road blockades, fuel shortages and a scarcity of foreign currency, according to a business leader in the nation’s biggest city.

An “accumulation of unresolved problems” is asphyxiating the country, Jean Pierre Antelo, head of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, said in a video posted on social media.

“The search for fuel is part of our daily life, but that’s not just a problem for households but a critical factor for productive sectors,” Antelo said. “There are companies that have had to stop operations due to the lack of dollars and fuel.”

The nation of 12 million has been roiled by crisis since the central bank almost ran out of foreign currency reserves last year, leaving importers struggling to get hold of dollars. That’s been aggravated by social unrest and clashes between rival factions in the ruling socialist party, which has led to disruptive highway blockades.

Many gas stations have been closed in recent days due to the fuel shortage, which the government blames on blockades promoted by supporters of former President Evo Morales. Long lines have formed in in some state stores where grocieries are offered at subsidized prices.
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https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/mar...ng-collapse-by-top-business-group/ar-AA1sVzU5