There was a military coup attempt in Bolivia. After the soldiers surrounded the Presidential Palace, Bolivian President Luis Arce invited the public to the squares. Following Arce’s call, thousands of people gathered in Plaza Murillo Square in front of the Government Palace, with Bolivian flags in their hands.
SOLDIERS STARTED TO WITHDRAWAL
Arce addressed the crowd gathered in front of the Government Palace after the coup attempt, which appeared to fail when armored vehicles and military units withdrew from the square. Arce said, “Many thanks to the Bolivian people. “Long live democracy,” he said.
Addressing the crowd, Vice President David Choquehuanca said, “The Bolivian people will never allow coups again.”
HE DISCUSSED FACE TO FACE WITH THE COUPIST GENERAL
The most dramatic moment of the coup attempt was Bolivian President Arce’s face-to-face discussion with General Juan José Ziga, who led the coup attempt.
In footage broadcast by Bolivian television, Arce was seen arguing with General Juan José Ziga in the corridor of the palace. Arce said to the general, “I am your commander in chief. I order you to withdraw your soldiers. “I will not allow this disobedience,” he was heard saying.
CONDEMNATION FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that they condemn all actions aimed at overthrowing legitimate governments following the news of the coup attempt in Bolivia.
In the statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “We are deeply concerned about the news that there is a coup attempt against the elected Bolivian Government. We hope that democratic order and an environment of stability will be quickly re-established in Bolivia. “On this occasion, we reiterate that we are against all kinds of coups and military interventions and that we strongly condemn all actions aimed at overthrowing legitimate governments.”
General Juan José Ziga
CONDEMNATION OF THE COUP ATTEMPT FROM LATIN AMERICAN LEADERS
While the coup attempt in Bolivia was continuing, Latin American leaders issued statements supporting democracy and condemning the coup attempt.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on Bolivians to “defend democracy, their constitution and their head of state.” Maduro: “No to fascism! No to coupism!… How dare they stage a coup in the 21st century? said.
Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou condemned the events that threaten democracy and constitutional order in Bolivia. Paraguayan President Santiago Pena criticized the “abnormal mobility” of military units.
The Brazilian government called an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis in Bolivia. Brazilian Luiz Incio Lula da Silva said to journalists: “I want democracy to prevail in Latin America. “Coups have never been successful,” he said.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro instructed his country’s embassy in Bolivia to offer asylum to all those oppressed by coup plotters. “There will be no diplomatic relations between Colombia and the dictatorship,” Petro said.
Chilean President Gabriel Poric said that the use of force by part of the Bolivian army was unacceptable. Condemning the coup attempt, Poric said that they were in solidarity with Bolivian President Arce.
(IHA-AA)
