New statement regarding the coup attempt in Bolivia

The repercussions of the coup attempt that took place yesterday in the South American country of Bolivia, which was thwarted within a few hours, continue.

Bolivian Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo stated in a statement today that Bolivian President Luis Arce had prior intelligence that a coup attempt might occur. Stating that they only had information about the attempt, Castillo noted that the government did not possess further details.

In a statement made earlier today, Minister Castillo had also announced that the army commander who attempted the coup, Juan Jose Zuniga, and former Vice Admiral Juan Arnez Salvador had been taken into custody.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On the orders of army commander Juan Jose Zuniga, armored vehicles had arrived at the doors of the Bolivian Government Palace in the administrative capital, La Paz, yesterday. Bolivian President Luis Arce had invited the public to the streets to protect democracy against the coup attempt. President Arce dismissed Zuniga and appointed Jose Wilson Sanchez in his place. The new army commander, Sanchez, had ordered all units participating in the coup to withdraw immediately. 

Following Arce's call, the Bolivian people gathered in Plaza Murillo, where the Government Palace is located, holding flags and singing the national anthem. 

After the coup attempt, which appeared to have failed as armored vehicles and military units withdrew from the square, Arce addressed the crowd gathered in front of the Government Palace, saying, “Many thanks to the people of Bolivia. Long live democracy.” The coup attempt ended after 3 hours.

News Source: İHA