Watch: Bolivian Army Coup Attempt Fails - President Goes Face-To-Face With Alleged Leader
- MF Tyler
- Jun 26, 2024
- 2 min read
On June 26, 2024, the world watched in horror as the Bolivian army smashed through the doors of the Bolivian government palace in an attempt to seize control over the nation’s political center. Bolivian President Luis Arce went face-to-face with the alleged leader of the coup, former general commander of the Bolivian army Juan José Zúñiga, and completely deescalated the situation. The word “former” is being used because the commander was immediately relieved of his position following this ordeal. He allegedly told journalists outside the palace, “Surely soon there will be a new Cabinet of ministers; our country, our state cannot go on like this.” That did not work out for him.
Bolivia is a democracy, and has elections recognized as such, so what is the reason for the attempted coup? The country has faced many economic woes since the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, when natural gas production came to a standstill due to the worldwide sickness. Natural gas is one of Bolivia’s top exported goods, and President Luis Arce has been at the forefront of the economic downturn since his election in 2020. Bolivia is currently in a state of uncertainty, and it’s during these uncertain times that countries face internal turmoil the most.
The diminished production of goods has had major consequences for the Bolivian economy; according to ABC News, “struggling to import fuel, lines of cars snake away from fuel-strapped gas stations. This year the International Monetary Fund forecasts growth of just 1.6%. Aside from the pandemic plunge in 2020, that would be Bolivia's slowest growth in 25 years.” These are truly unsettling times for this country.
Sources:
Live updates: Bolivian Army general apparently behind failed coup attempt arrested. AP News. https://apnews.com/live/bolivia-attempted-coup-updates
Bolivia president Arce warns of coup attempt; fired general arrested - The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/26/bolivia-military-coup-attempt/
Vock, I. (2024, June 26). Bolivian police arrest leader of coup attempt. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c288eewr1wko
Bolivia coup attempt fails after military assault on Presidential Palace | Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolivias-president-slams-irregular-mobilization-army-units-2024-06-26/
ABC News Network. How tensions in Bolivia fueled an attempt to oust President Arce from power. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/tensions-bolivia-fueled-attempt-oust-president-arce-power-111461606#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20Morales%2C%20then%20Bolivia’s,resign%20and%20flee%20the%20country.
Bolivia and the IMF. IMF. (2019, March 6). https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/BOL
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