La Paz, Bolivia – Minister of government, Eduardo Del Castillo, announced that 17 individuals, including former heads of Bolivia’s army and navy, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt against President Luis Arce. Del Castillo stated that the arrests were made after a brief mutiny in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia.

The former army chief, Gen Juan José Zúñiga Macías, and the former head of the navy, R Adm Juan Arnez Salvador, were accused of leading a group of putschists who conspired to overthrow the democratically elected government. Del Castillo revealed that the conspirators had been planning the coup for at least three weeks before security forces managed to regain control.

The minister claimed that President Arce informed Zúñiga of his dismissal the night before the alleged revolt took place. Zúñiga, before being taken into custody, had expressed his intention to establish true democracy in the country.

The failed coup, which lasted only three hours and resulted in injuries to 12 individuals, highlighted Bolivia’s ongoing economic crisis and political instability. President Arce and former President Evo Morales are engaged in a bitter power struggle, with both planning to run for the presidency in the upcoming election.

Despite allegations of President Arce staging the coup to boost his popularity, government officials denied any involvement. The incident received condemnation from various political figures in Latin America, with some far-right individuals expressing support for the coup attempt.

As the situation unfolds, Bolivia remains on edge, with tensions running high in the wake of the failed mutiny. The government continues to investigate the events surrounding the coup attempt and address the underlying issues that led to the unrest.