Bolivia’s president warned that a “coup” was imminent as soldiers stormed the presidential palace.
Troops blocked the entrance to La Paz’s Plaza Murillo, where important government buildings are located, and then crashed into the main gate of the government building. The soldiers then entered the building.
President Luis Arce had earlier warned on social media of “unscheduled mobilization of some troops.” “Democracy must be respected,” he said.
Bolivian Minister Maria Nela Prada posted a video on her Facebook account showing the view from the windows of a government building.
“I’m in the People’s Palace. As you can see, this is Plaza Murillo occupied by armed tanks and troops,” she said.
Mr Arce then urged Bolivians to mobilize against the “coup”
“We need the Bolivian people to organize and mobilize against the coup and to support democracy,” Arce said in a televised address to the nation alongside ministers from inside the presidential palace.
“We cannot allow a coup attempt to take Bolivian lives again,” he added.
General Juan José Zuniga, the officer in charge of the forces in central La Paz, said he recognized President Arce “temporarily” but that ministers and cabinet would change.
“We will take back this home,” Gen. Juan José Zuniga said after the army captured Plaza Murillo.
“The elites have taken over the country and the saboteurs have destroyed it,” Gen. Zuniga said. “The military intends to restore true democracy.”
He said “political prisoners” including jailed former leader Jeanne Áñez would be released.
Rumors have been circulating for days that General Zuniga is about to be fired. The military chief appeared on television on Monday and said he would arrest former leftist President Evo Morales if he ran for president again next year.
Mr Morales resigned as president and was replaced by Ms Áñez as the army chief of staff urged him to step down amid protests over alleged vote-rigging in the 2019 election. Block roads.
“I ask democratic-minded people to defend their homeland from certain military groups that are against democracy and the people,” he said.
The White House national security spokesman said the United States said it was closely monitoring the situation in Bolivia and urged all parties to exercise restraint.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the EU condemns any attempt to undermine the constitutional order.
Morales, the first president from Bolivia’s indigenous majority, took power in 2005 and implemented a radical program aimed at addressing extreme social divisions and inequality.
The former Coca Union leader resigned in 2019 after trying to bypass the constitution and seek a fourth term. His successor was opposition senator Jeanine Áñez, who declared herself interim president in November 2019.
Mr. Arce won the October 2020 presidential election, returning Mas Socialist Party to power.
