Bolivian Judiciary Orders Failed Coup Leaders to Pretrial Detention
In a major blow to the three alleged leaders of the failed coup in Bolivia, the country’s judiciary has ordered them to be placed in pretrial detention for six months. The decision was made by the public prosecutor’s office on Friday and will see former army commander Juan Jose Zúñiga, former naval forces commander Juan Arnaiz, and former army mechanized brigade commander Alejandro Irahola imprisoned in a high-security prison on the outskirts of El Alto, near La Paz.
The Attorney General Cesar Celis expressed that this pretrial detention will set a good precedent for the continuation of the investigation. The three leaders face charges of armed uprising and terrorism with a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
A total of 21 active and retired military personnel and civilians were arrested in connection with the coup attempt, during which forces surrounded the presidential palace with tanks for several hours before withdrawing. General Zuniga, one of the arrested leaders, claimed that the armed forces were trying to restructure democracy and make it a real one rather than controlled by a select few for decades. Following the failed coup, President Luis Arce dismissed the army chief and appointed a new military command before swearing them in at the presidential palace.
Among those detained is former Air Force Commander Marcelo Zegarra, who is expected to appear in court soon. This failed coup marks a new chapter of political turmoil in Bolivia against a backdrop of severe economic crisis. With popular discontent over high prices and oil shortages, concerns arise within the military establishment as they prepare for their future roles ahead of the 2025 presidential elections. Bolivia’s gas and lithium resources make it an attractive factor on the international stage, adding to