(La Paz) Bolivian President Luis Arce called on Wednesday for mobilization against “the coup d’état”, a few hours after armed soldiers and armored vehicles took position in front of the presidency in La Paz.
Posted at 3:51 p.m.
Updated at 5:03 p.m.
“The Bolivian people are called today, we need the Bolivian people to organize and mobilize against the coup in favor of democracy,” Mr. Arce said in a video message to the nation from the presidential palace, alongside his ministers.
“We denounce the irregular movements of certain units of the Bolivian army. Democracy must be respected,” the president wrote on the social network X.
PHOTO JUAN KARITA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rumors have been circulating since Tuesday that General Zuniga, in office since November 2022, could be removed from office.
According to ex-president Evo Morales (2006-2019) on X, “a coup d’état is being prepared”.
Social media images taken by residents show army units advancing through the streets in close ranks, and armored vehicles and a tank parked in Murillo Square, where soldiers were seen entering the Palacio Quemado, the seat of the presidency.
According to Bolivian television, the head of the army, General Zuniga, briefly entered the presidential palace.
PHOTO AIZAR RALDES, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Images showed army units advancing through the streets in close ranks, and armored vehicles and a tank parked in Murillo Square.
It was not immediately clear whether President Arce, elected in 2020, was in the palace.
Rumors have been circulating since Tuesday that General Zuniga, in office since November 2022, could be removed from office.
He allegedly exceeded his authority by making statements against Mr. Morales, once an ally of Arce and now his greatest political opponent in the 2025 presidential elections.
In an interview with a television channel on Monday, the army chief said he would arrest Mr. Morales if he pursued his plan to run again, even though he can no longer be a candidate according to a court ruling. .
“Legally he is disqualified, he can no longer be president of this country,” Zuniga said. The armed forces “are the armed wing of the country and we are going to defend the Constitution at all costs,” he added.
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro declared that “no form of violation of the constitutional order will be tolerated” in Bolivia, expressing his “solidarity with President Luis Arce” from Asunción, where The general assembly of the organization is being held until Friday.
