Bolivian President Luis Arce reacted to the allegations that he “planned a coup on his own” and stated that he firmly rejected the accusations.
In a press conference held at the Casa Grande Pueblo, the Presidential residence in the administrative capital La Paz, Arce responded to the allegations of detained former army commander Jose Zuniga and the news that some media organizations “planned a coup on their own”.
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Recalling that there was a military coup attempt led by Zuniga, Arce said, “How can this be an instruction or a coup planning on its own? He acted on his own initiative.”
Emphasizing that he found Zuniga’s accusations extremely “outrageous”, Arce said, “He claims that I did this to gain popularity, I am not a politician who will gain popularity with the blood of the people.”
Stating that he had spoken with former President Evo Morales by phone before the coup attempt, Arce said, “Yes, we may have differences with him, but I contacted him to take precautions. We saw that the coup was approaching and I had a short conversation with Comrade Evo on the phone. They would go to him as they came to me (referring to the coup soldiers).”
Arce said that they had been seeing unusual movements in the armed forces for some time before the coup attempt and that they had anticipated what would happen.
Speaking to reporters shortly before his detention, Zuniga said, “I am innocent. I met with Arce last Sunday and the president told me that the situation was very bad and that the country was going through a very critical period. ‘We have to do something to restore my popularity,’ he said.”
What happened?
On June 26, Bolivian President Arce stated that some military units in the country had been improperly mobilized and asked the military to respect democracy.
Footage on social media showed a military armored vehicle trying to force its way into the government palace in the administrative capital La Paz.
Citizens reacting to the soldiers were intervened with tear gas and water cannons.
Arce had spoken face-to-face with former commander Jose Zuniga, who tried to force his way into the government palace, and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the troops.
Addressing the nation, Arce called on the people to remain calm. Following Arce’s call, thousands of people took to the squares and protested the military coup attempt.
Upon the order of Jose Wilson Sanchez, the newly appointed commander of the Bolivian army, the soldiers who attempted the coup returned to their units.
Former commander Zuniga, who attempted a coup against the Arce government, was detained upon the request of the attorney general’s office.
