Bolivian authorities on Thursday paraded handcuffed detainees in front of the media, announcing 17 arrests after a botched coup d’etat that has deepened political turmoil in a country mired in severe economic crisis.Riot police kept close watch over government buildings a day after army chief Juan Jose Zuniga deployed troops and tanks to the heart of the capital La Paz, where they tried to break down a door of the presidential palace.
“The armed forces intend to restructure democracy, to make it a true democracy and not one run by the same few people for 30, 40 years,” Zuniga said.The government broadcast a conversation between Arce and Zuniga at the doors of the presidential mansion, surrounded by military personnel in which Arce ordered his army chief to withdraw his troops to their barracks.
Zuniga replied with a blunt “No,” but left the presidential palace a few minutes later.Former centrist president Carlos Mesa (2003-2005) wrote on X that the troop deployment “resembles a farce.”
Bolivia, which has a long history of military coups, has in recent weeks been rocked by an economic crisis due to a drop in gas production, its main source of foreign currency until 2023.Six months ago, the Constitutional Court disqualified Morales from the 2025 elections. But he is still seeking nomination as the MAS candidate.
Arce has not said whether he will seek reelection. The opposition does not have significant support.