Bolivia arrests 17 as failed coup deepens instability
- Riot police kept close watch over government buildings a day after army chief Zuniga deployed troops and tanks to the heart of the capital
Bolivian authorities on Thursday paraded handcuffed detainees in front of the media, announcing 17 arrests after a botched coup d’état that has deepened political turmoil in a country mired in severe economic crisis.
Tensions have been rising in recent weeks in the Andean nation over surging prices, shortages of dollars and fuel, and a feud between President Luis Arce and his powerful predecessor Evo Morales ahead of 2025 elections.
Riot police kept close watch over government buildings a day after army chief Juan Jose Zuniga deployed troops and tanks to the heart of the capital La Paz, where they tried to break down a door of the presidential palace.
“The armed forces intend to restructure democracy, to make it a true democracy and not one run by the same few people for 30, 40 years,” Zuniga said.
Shortly thereafter, the soldiers and tanks pulled back from the historic Plaza Murillo square, and local television broadcast images of Zuniga’s arrest. Bolivia’s naval chief Juan Arnez Salvador was also arrested. The two men face up to 20 years in prison for the crimes of terrorism and armed uprising, prosecutors said.
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Bolivia stops apparent coup attempt, arrests general after assault on presidential palace
Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo announced a total of 17 arrests, including active and retired military personnel and civilians, in connection to the attempted coup. Other suspects are still being sought.
