Amid international outcry, an apparent coup attempt in Bolivia has subsided, with President Luis Arce asserting his authority over the country’s military.
Earlier, on Wednesday afternoon, troops led by army general commander Juan Jose Zuniga had stormed the presidential palace and taken up positions in the square outside. News reports indicated a tank slammed the palace doors.
But within hours, Zuniga urged the soldiers to withdraw, after leaders from around the world blasted the army’s actions as illegal.
President Arce hailed the withdrawal as a victory for Bolivia’s democracy and addressed the country’s citizens in the aftermath, some of whom had taken to the streets in protest of the alleged coup attempt.
“Many thanks to the Bolivian people,” said Arce. “Long live democracy.”
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Bolivian Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo has presented former Commander-in-Chief General Juan José Zuñiga, who has been detained after a coup attempt, to the media, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteZuniga was in handcuffs and was wearing a bulletproof vest that read "detained," the correspondent reported.
Bolivian former Navy commander Juan Arnes Salvador has been detained as part of the investigation of the attempted coup case, Bolivia TV said.
ReplyDeleteHe was the second to be detained after the attempted military coup. Earlier, the police detained General Juan Jose Zuniga.
At least nine people were wounded during the attempted military coup in Bolivia, the country’s Interior Minister Carlos del Castillo said.
ReplyDelete