Soldiers Juan José Zúñiga, Juan Arnez and Edison Irahola have been transferred to a maximum security prison in La Paz, Bolivia to serve preventive detention for their involvement in an “attempted coup” against the government of President Luis Arce. The operation was carried out by the Police from noon on Saturday at the Special Force to Fight Crime (Felcc) in La Paz.
The three men were sent to preventive detention on Friday for six months on charges of armed uprising and terrorism. The Minister of Government (Interior), Eduardo del Castillo, and other government and police authorities were present at the Felcc to witness Zúñiga’s transfer. According to reports, Zúñiga led a military action on Wednesday in an attempt to “change the government cabinet” and “restore” democracy in Bolivia. After a confrontation with President Arce at the presidential palace, Zúñiga was ordered to withdraw and the tanks and soldiers supporting him were captured at the Army General Staff. In addition to Zúñiga, Arnez, and Irahola, 14 other soldiers were arrested for their involvement in the attempted coup.