The Bolivian military stormed the country’s presidential palace on Wednesday in what could potentially be a coup attempt, according to multiple reports.
Swarms of soldiers took over the capital’s main square as civilians fled the scene, according to Bloomberg and video footage of the incident. An armored truck rammed directly into the palace and soldiers appeared to break inside. (RELATED: Former US Ambassador To Bolivia Victor Manuel Rocha Pleads Guilty To Spying For Cuba, Gets 15 Years)
BREAKING: Soldiers breach main gate of Bolivian President Luis Arce’s residence with clashes reported inside with police forces as coup underway in the capital of La Paz, Bolivia.
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) June 26, 2024
The Bolivian Military has occupied Plaza Murillo in the Bolivian capital of La Paz in what Evo Morales, the former President of Bolivia, calls a coup.
The current president, Luis Arce, has denounced these “irregular” military movements. pic.twitter.com/3P8fhH8GkB
— All Source News (@All_Source_News) June 26, 2024
Bolivian President Luis Arce previously warned Wednesday that military forces were conducting “irregular” movements at the capital, according to The Associated Press. Presidential Minister María Nela Prada said Wednesday that the military was seizing control of the capital and attempting a coup, noting that people were “on alert to defend democracy.
I’m told the military just broke into the government palace in what is clearly a military coup https://t.co/53uPuwgwFn
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) June 26, 2024
Juan José Zúñiga, the general of Bolivia’s army, appeared to confirm that the military was breaking from the government’s protocol, according to the AP.
“The three chiefs of the armed forces have come to express our dismay. There will be a new cabinet of ministers, surely things will change, but our country cannot continue like this any longer,” Zúñiga said on local TV from the main square, per Reuters.
Ultimately, the coup failed as Arce’s supporters rushed to the scene and stood against the military, which quickly retreated, according to the AP. Zúñiga was arrested by police in the aftermath, bizarrely claiming before his arrest that Arce had ordered the coup himself “to raise [his] popularity.”
“Thank you to the Bolivian people,” Arce told a crowd of supporters after the failed coup, according to the AP. “ Let democracy live on.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
