The situation is confused in La Paz, where troops and army vehicles took position on Wednesday in front of the presidency, Agence France-Presse noted, with Bolivian President Luis Arce calling for “democracy is respected”. “We denounce the irregular movements of certain units of the Bolivian army. Democracy must be respected”wrote the president on the social network. According to ex-president Evo Morales (2006-2019), on, “A coup is being prepared”.
Social media images taken by residents show army units advancing through the streets in close ranks, and armored vehicles and a tank parked in Murillo Square, where soldiers were seen entering the Palacio Quemado, the seat of the presidency. According to Bolivian television, the head of the army, General Zuñiga, briefly entered the presidential palace. It was not immediately possible to know whether President Arce, elected in 2020, was there.
“Morales is disqualified”
Rumors have been circulating since Tuesday that General Zuñiga, in office since November 2022, could be removed from office. He allegedly exceeded his duty by making statements against Mr. Morales, once an ally of Mr. Arce and now his biggest political opponent ahead of the 2025 presidential elections.
In an interview with a television channel on Monday, the army chief said he would arrest Mr. Morales if he pursued his plan to run again, even though he can no longer be a candidate according to a court ruling. . “Legally, he is disqualified, he can no longer be president of this country”, said Mr. Zuñiga. The armed forces “are the armed wing of the country and we will defend the Constitution at all costs”he added.
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, declared that“no form of violation of constitutional order will be tolerated” in Bolivia, expressing his “solidarity with President Luis Arce” from Asuncion, where the organization’s general assembly is being held until Friday.