Bolivia’s president called on the nation to mobilise against the attempted coup (Picture: Getty/ EPA)
Bolivia’s armed forces were forced to withdraw from the Presidential Palace after failing a coup.
Armoured vehicles repeatedly rammed into the doors of the government palace in the capital of La Paz on Wednesday in an apparent attempt to topple the left-wing and democratically elected president Luis Arce.
Soldiers commanded by top army general Juan Jose Zuniga filled the main plaza in the city, vowing to ‘restore democracy’.
The leader of the rebellion clambered out of an armoured vehicle, telling people that ‘there will be a new cabinet’ and that Bolivia ‘cannot continue like this any longer.’
Military police take over Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia (Picture: AP)
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Within hours, the nation of 12 million people saw a rapidly moving scenario in which the troops seemed to take control of the government.
The Bolivian president vowed to stand firm and named a new army commander, who immediately ordered the rebels to stand down.
Arce also urged people to come out onto the streets of La Paz and mobilise against Zuniga.
Within moments, pro-democracy were standing face-to-face with soldiers and firing tear gas at them.
Military police walk amid tear gas outside the presidential palace (Picture: Getty)
BREAKING ð§ð´ Boliviaâs armed forces have been forced to withdraw from the Presidential Palace â and counter-protestors have filled the Plaza Murillo in support of the democratically elected MAS government. pic.twitter.com/nManlbWuvg
— Progressive International (@ProgIntl) June 26, 2024
The president did not stay hidden in his palace, and also emerged to argue with the insurgents.
They were forced to pull back, along with a line of military vehicles, ending the rebellion after just three hours.
Hundreds of Arce’s supporters then rushed the square outside the government palace, waving Bolivian flags, singing the national anthem and cheering.
The retreat was followed by the arrest of Zuniga, but it remains unclear where he was taken.
Wednesday’s uprising followed months of tensions, with economic hardship and protests growing as Mr Arce and his one-time ally, leftist former president Evo Morales, battle for control of the ruling party.
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Source:: Metro
