Military uprising was suppressed in Bolivia! Former commander Zuniga, who led the coup attempt, is in custody

In Bolivia, a group of soldiers who attempted a coup surrounded the government palace in the capital with heavy weapons and armored units. While the military uprising in the South American country became the number one agenda item in the world press, hundreds of soldiers who took to the streets returned to their units under the orders of the new commander Jose Wilson Sanchez, who was appointed to head the army after the coup attempt. After the uprising was suppressed, Jose Zuniga, who was accused of leading the coup, was detained live by the authorities.

“WE CONDEMN THE IRREGULAR MOBILIZATION”

Soldiers took action in the South American country Bolivia. It was announced that a group of soldiers attempted a coup. President Lucho Arce said in a statement: “We condemn the irregular mobilization carried out by some units of the Bolivian Army. Democracy must be respected.”

THEY SIEGE THE GOVERNMENT PALACE WITH HEAVY WEAPONS

Heavily armed soldiers and armored vehicles gathered in the capital city of La Paz, where government buildings are located, in Plaza Murillo. A force of armed forces surrounded the government palace.

“A COUP IS BEING MADE”

In November 2019, there was a US-backed coup in Bolivia, and then-president Evo Morales had to leave the country. Morales shared posts about the latest developments in the country on his social media account. Sharing the video of military activity in his first message, Morales said, “A coup is being carried out.”

SHARP SHOOTERS WERE POSITIONED AROUND THE SQUARE

In another message, the former president stated that the unit that captured Murillo Square placed snipers around the square and said that this was a sign of a coup attempt.

SANCHEZ: ALL SOLDIERS SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR UNIT

Jose Wilson Sanchez, who was appointed head of the army after the military uprising, made a statement at the press conference. Condemning the military uprising, Sanchez said, “I order all soldiers and personnel in the streets and squares to return to their units.” he said.

“WE WILL NOT ALLOW UNDEMOCRACY ACTIONS”

Sanchez emphasized that they had taken on a “great” responsibility and said, “I am honored to be deemed worthy of such a duty. We thank the President and the Minister of Defense for their trust in us. We are faced with scenes in the streets and squares that no one would want. As the new commander of the army, I would like to state that we will not allow undemocratic actions.”

COUP ATTEMPT GOVERNING COMMANDER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

After the coup attempt was suppressed, former commander Jose Zuniga, who attempted a coup attempt against the Luis Arce government in Bolivia, was detained upon the request of the chief prosecutor’s office. In the news published in the Bolivian press, it was noted that Zuniga, who was accused of leading the coup attempt, was detained after leaving the General Staff headquarters, and then taken to the prosecutor’s office in a police vehicle. On the other hand, the chief prosecutor’s office announced that a comprehensive investigation has been launched into the allegations of the coup attempt and the events that took place.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Bolivian President Arce stated that some military units were being deployed in the country illegally and asked the army to respect democracy. In images shared on social media, a military armored vehicle was seen trying to force its way into the government palace in the administrative capital La Paz. Citizens who protested the soldiers were treated with tear gas and water cannons.

Arce had spoken face to face with Zuniga, who had tried to force his way into the government palace, and had demanded the immediate withdrawal of the soldiers. Addressing the nation, Arce called on the people to remain calm, saying, “The President and ministers of Bolivia are in charge of their duties, and I call on the people to protect democracy. The soldiers must withdraw immediately and return to their duties. I ask them to respect democracy and the constitution.”

At Arce’s call, thousands of people took to the squares to protest the attempted military coup. At the order of the newly appointed commander of the Bolivian army, Jose Wilson Sanchez, the soldiers who attempted the coup returned to their units.