As General Zuniga withdrew from Plaza Morio following the coup attempt, the president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, swore in a new military leadership led by General Jose Wilson Sanchez. The leader of the coup was arrested by his soldiers and there are reports of one person injured by gunfire. Reports indicate that rubber bullets were fired and tear gas was used during the events.
Following the attempted coup, a criminal investigation was announced against General Juan Jose Zuniga and others involved in the coup attempt by the Bolivian Attorney General’s Office on X Twitter network. Later, Reuters news agency reported that Zuniga was taken into custody. The general had threatened to take over the government after leading tanks and forces into Plaza Moriyo. He made his intentions clear before the coup took place.
General Zuniga claimed that the mobilization of all military units aimed to express their anger at the situation in the country. Changes were expected and a new cabinet of ministers had been promised. Despite acknowledging President Luis Arce, plans for a change in government cabinet were mentioned. The army’s presence in Moriyo Park led to clashes with police and an indefinite general strike was announced by the Workers’ Union of Bolivia.
Former President Abu Morales condemned the movement of military units in Plaza Morio as “a coup in making”. The union announced its resistance to any attempts at a military coup with an indefinite general strike which was met with criticism from Morales who criticized General Zuniga’s threats and potential for a military takeover. Tensions remain high as various parties continue to react to events surrounding attempted coup attempt on Bolivia
