Former general leading coup in Bolivia arrested

Bolivian General Juan José Zúñiga, who led troops to the square in front of the government building with a coup plot, was detained on orders from the Prosecutor General's Office, TASS news agency reported on June 27.

At 2:30 p.m. on June 26 (local time), or 1:30 a.m. on June 27 (Hanoi time), several Bolivian military units led by former army commander Juan José Zúñiga began gathering at Plaza Murillo Square, outside the Presidential Palace and the National Congress headquarters.

In footage shown on Bolivian television, General Zúñiga left the General Staff building, accompanied by police officers who took him to a car.

Before getting into the car, the general tried to tell reporters his story, saying that he had spoken to President Luis Arce on June 23 and that the national leader had asked for help to boost Arce’s popularity.

In remarks to reporters at the scene, General Zúñiga said Bolivians were angry about the economic downturn, the central bank's depleted reserves and the pressure on the local currency due to the loss of gas exports.

The former Bolivian army commander affirmed public support for the move, calling for the formation of a new cabinet but did not mention the possibility of overthrowing President Arce.

President Arce then presided over the swearing-in of General Jose Wilson Sanchez, who replaced General Zuniga as commander of the Bolivian army. Immediately after taking office, Mr. Sanchez called on the coup soldiers to return to their barracks to avoid bloodshed.

President Luis Arce said the country is facing a coup, facing a plot to disrupt democracy, and called for the support of the Bolivian people, "to concentrate and mobilize forces to fight against the coup, to protect democracy".