Author: Dan Collyns in La Paz

In a dramatic turn of events, the normally calm Plaza Murillo in La Paz was the scene of a brief coup attempt that unfolded within a matter of hours. Former army chief Juan José Zuñiga led the mutiny, confronting President Luis Arce before retreating in a bulletproof vehicle. Although the coup was short-lived, it left Bolivians rattled and sparked speculation about political motives. Zuñiga accused Arce of orchestrating a “sham coup” to boost his popularity, a claim vehemently denied by the president. The swift action by Arce and the military helped quell the uprising and resulted in several arrests, including…