In update

The president of Bolivia, Luís Arce, denounced, this Wednesday at the end of the day, “irregular mobilizations of units of the Bolivian army” in the streets of the country. “Democracy must be respected,” the Head of State wrote on his official account on X (formerly Twitter).

About three hours later, Luis Arce announced that the military had withdrawn from the government building area and that he had appointed a new commander, José Wilson Sánchez Velásquez. The new commander of the Bolivian troops ordered, according to El País, the withdrawal of the troops led by the army commander, Juan José Zúñiga. “The military must respect our Constitution. The chain of command cannot be broken. We will defeat any coup attempt,” defended Luis Arce at a press conference.

According to El País, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Zúñiga and a warning to border authorities to prevent him from leaving the country. Sánchez Velásquez defined the general as “a good commander” and asked him “not to allow blood to be spilled” of Bolivian soldiers.

We denounce irregular movements of some units of the Bolivian Army. Democracy must be respected.

— Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (Lucho Arce) (@LuchoXBolivia) June 26, 2024

With social media filled with images showing different wings of the army on the streets of the Bolivian capital, La Paz, former President Evo Morales was one of the first to react and even said that there was “a coup d’état” underway. “We call for a national mobilization to defend democracy against the coup d’état,” he wrote in his X account, immediately blaming General Zúñiga for the movement. “We will not allow the Armed Forces to violate democracy and intimidate the people,” he also guaranteed. In the images shared on social networks you can see military tanks, one of which managed to knock down the door of the government headquarters.

????| BREAKING NEWS: Patriotic soldiers rebel against the communist regime of Luis Arce and Evo Morales in Bolivia and provoke a coup d’état. The military got tired of Chavista socialism of the 21st century?????????. Do you support this patriotic rebellion against communism in Bolivia? pic.twitter.com/JkGFUDc5bK

—Eduardo Menoni (@eduardomenoni) June 26, 2024

Reports from the newspaper Correo del Sur said that General Juan José Zúñiga even entered the Quemado Palace, seat of the Bolivian government, leaving shortly after and heading directly to one of the armored cars that were at the door. Before entering, in statements to local television, cited by Reuters, Juan José Zúñiga left promises of change: he assured that there would be “a new cabinet of ministers” and that “things would certainly change.” “Our country cannot continue like this,” he later added. “Stop destroying, stop impoverishing our country, stop humiliating our army.”

We call for a National Mobilization to defend Democracy in the face of the coup d’état that is being carried out by General Zúñiga.
We declare an indefinite general strike and blockade of roads.

We will not allow the Armed Forces to violate democracy and threaten others…

—Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) June 26, 2024

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also spoke of “irregular movements by some units of the Bolivian army, which undermine democracy, peace and security in the country” and asked the “international community and the Bolivian population to respect the values democratic.” “

International community condemns coup attempt

Shortly after the start of the coup attempt, Alberto Fernández, former president of Argentina, shared on the social network an X video with military cars near the government building. “My unconditional support for President Luis Arce and I call for the firm defense of democracy. Let us not allow the will of the people to be subjugated. “Strength Bolivia!”, He wrote.

The undemocratic uprising of some units of the Bolivian Army deserves the most energetic repudiation.

My unconditional support for President Luis Arce and I call for the firm defense of democracy. Let us not allow the will of the people to be overwhelmed. Strength… pic.twitter.com/20lbVoCji4

—Alberto Fernandez (@alferdez) June 26, 2024

Pedro Sánchez, president of the Spanish Government, also said that “Spain condemns the military movements in Bolivia.” “We send our support and solidarity to the government of Bolivia and its people and call on them to respect democracy and the rule of law,” he wrote on social media.

Spain strongly condemns the military movements in Bolivia.

We send our support and solidarity to the Government of Bolivia to its people and call on them to respect democracy and the rule of law.

— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) June 26, 2024

From Brazil, Lula da Silva said that the position of the country he leads is “clear.” “I am a lover of democracy and I want it to prevail throughout Latin America. “We condemn any form of coup d’état in Bolivia and reaffirm our commitment to the people and democracy of our brother country,” she assured.

Brazil’s position is clear. I am a lover of democracy and I want it to prevail throughout Latin America. We condemn any form of coup d’état in Bolivia and reaffirm our commitment to the people and democracy of our sister country, led by @LuchoXBolivia.…

— Lula (@LulaOficial) June 26, 2024

On the Portuguese side, the leader of the Left Bloc, Mariana Mortágua, showed “solidarity with the Bolivian people.” “The military is required to immediately return to constitutional democracy and respect popular sovereignty.”

A coup d’état is taking place in Bolivia. The military is required to immediately return to constitutional democracy and respect popular sovereignty. ????????? All solidarity with the Bolivian people.

— mariana mortágua (@MRMortagua) June 26, 2024