Coup attempt in Bolivia: Arce, Morales condemn, call for action
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Videos shared on social media showed heavily armed soldiers and armored vehicles gathering in La Paz's central Plaza Murillo.
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Military Police gather outside the main entrance as an armored vehicle rams into the door of the presidential palace in Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (AP)
Bolivian President Luis Arce on Wednesday denounced the "irregular mobilization" of certain army units in La Paz, while former leader Evo Morales accused a senior general of conspiring to stage a coup.
Videos shared on social media showed heavily armed soldiers and armored vehicles gathering in La Paz's central Plaza Murillo.
"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," General Juan Jose Zuniga told a local TV station.
🚨🇧🇴#BREAKING: Reports of a military coup in Bolivia.
— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) June 26, 2024
pic.twitter.com/9D9YN6LrvS
Despite publicly parting ways with Arce, both of whom belong to the same socialist movement, Morales declared a nationwide mobilization of his supporters in support of democracy.
He accused Zuniga of attempting a coup and called for a general work stoppage, urging road blockades as part of the protest.
"We will not allow the armed forces to violate democracy and intimidate people," Morales said.
In a post on X, the former leader said: "We denounce that a Group of the Challapata Special Regiment "Mendez Arcos" took over Plaza Murillo with snipers. This seems to indicate that they prepared the Coup d'état in advance."
"I ask the people with a democratic vocation to defend the Homeland from some military groups that act against democracy and the people," he added.
Denunciamos que un Grupo del Regimiento Especial de Challapata "Mendez Arcos" tomaron la Plaza Murillo con francotiradores. Esto pareciera indicar que prepararon con anticipación el Golpe de Estado.
— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) June 26, 2024
Pido al pueblo con vocación democracia a defender la Patria de algunos grupos…
Commenting on the events, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said, "complete and utter insolence of the Bolivian army commander who intends to kidnap President Arce," asking, "Who chose Zuniga to come and set conditions on the president? President Arce must summon the people, as the people alone save the people and democracy."
Bolivia Prosecutor's Office declared full support for "the rule of law and the defense of democracy."
Chilean President Gabriel Boric on his part expressed his "concern about the situation in Bolivia" and his "support for democracy in the brotherly country and for the legitimate Arce government."
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel denounced the ongoing coup attempt in Bolivia and expressed the solidarity of the Cuban government and people with the country.
Paraguay's President Santiago Pena made "a strong appeal to respect democracy and the rule of law in Bolivia."
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