EXPLAINER
President Luis Arce asserts authority as Bolivian Army General Juan Jose Zuniga, who was behind the coup d’etat bid, is arrested.
Bolivian President Luis Arce successfully thwarted an attempted coup on Wednesday as Army General Juan Jose Zuniga was arrested after leading troops to storm the presidential palace in La Paz. President Arce from the left-wing MAS party hailed the failed attempt as a victory for Bolivia’s democracy. His control over the military marked a significant moment for the Latin American nation.
Recent tensions between Arce and his mentor, former President Evo Morales, have added complexity to Bolivian politics. Despite economic challenges, Arce’s election in 2020 brought stability to Bolivia. The attempted coup was fueled by economic grievances and an alleged lack of democracy under Arce’s leadership. The swift response and arrest of Zuniga by Arce demonstrated the president’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
International condemnation followed the coup attempt, with world leaders expressing support for President Arce and democracy in Bolivia.