Leader Of Failed Coup In Bolivia Arrested

“The country is facing an attempted coup d’état.’’

Army general Juan José Zúñiga and his allies who attempted a coup to oust democratically elected President Luis Acre on Wednesday have been arrested.

Bolivian minister of government, Eduardo del Castillo, told journalists that Mr Zúñiga and former navy Vice Adm. Juan Arnez Salvador were arrested after the failed coup on Wednesday.

“What was this group’s goal? The goal was to overturn the democratically elected authority,” Mr del Castillo said, announcing the arrest of the coup plotters. 

Late on Wednesday, Mr Zúñiga led troops to the presidential palace in a dramatic way that saw armoured vehicles ram through the palace gate.

However, Mr Acre confronted the mutineers, calling on Bolivians to resist military takeover.

“The country is facing an attempted coup d’état,” Mr Acre, who was surrounded by his ministers, said in a live video. Here we are, firm in Casa Grande, to confront any coup attempt. We need the Bolivian people to organise.”

Faced with stiff opposition, the mutineers withdrew troops from the presidential palace on Wednesday night.

The failed coup came amid an economic crisis in the South American country, while Mr Arce and his political ally, former President Evo Morales, tussled over control of the ruling political party, Movement Toward Socialism. Mr Arce served as Mr Morales’ economy and finance minister for 11 years.