LA PAZ, Bolivia – Armored vehicles forcefully collided with the doors of Bolivia’s government palace on Wednesday in what seemed to be a coup attempt, instigated by General Juan José Zúñiga. However, President Luis Arce stood his ground, appointing a new army commander who ordered the troops to stand down. As Arce’s supporters flooded the square outside the palace, waving Bolivian flags and cheering, the soldiers retreated behind military vehicles.

Amid the chaos, tensions escalated as Zúñiga was subsequently arrested after the attorney general initiated an investigation into the matter. Reports suggested that Zúñiga had claimed Arce urged him to storm the palace in a political maneuver to bolster his popularity. The general insinuated that Arce instructed him to deploy the armored vehicles, which Arce denied.

The day’s events unfolded against a backdrop of longstanding political strife between Arce and his former ally, ex-President Evo Morales, both vying for control of the ruling party. Despite the unrest, it appeared that the attempt to overthrow the president lacked widespread support, with even Arce’s adversaries uniting to uphold democracy and denounce the rebellion.

Arce faced off against Zúñiga in the palace, emphasizing his authority as the commander in chief and calling for the soldiers’ withdrawal to thwart insubordination. As he rallied his ministers to stand firm against any coup attempts, Arce urged the Bolivian people to organize and resist.

In the aftermath, Arce announced new military leadership appointments while condemning the dissenting troops for tarnishing the military’s reputation. The newly appointed army chief, José Wilson Sánchez, instructed the mobilized forces to return to their units, stressing the importance of avoiding further unrest.

The upheaval in Bolivia drew condemnation from regional leaders and the international community, with concerns mounting over the country’s political stability and economic woes. As Bolivia grappled with uncertainty, citizens braced for potential repercussions, stocking up on essentials amid the unfolding crisis.

Vice President David Choquehuanca echoed a sentiment of resilience outside the presidential palace, pledging that the Bolivian people would not tolerate future coup attempts. The events in Bolivia underscored the fragile state of the nation, plagued by deep-rooted political divisions and economic challenges, as it grappled with the aftermath of the tumultuous day.