jfid – Juan José Zúñiga, a general in the Bolivian Army, has sparked international attention after leading a surprising military coup attempt against President Luis Arce’s government on June 26, 2024.
The coup occurred amid escalating political tensions in Bolivia, raising questions about the country’s political stability.
Zúñiga reportedly led military units to gather at the main square in the capital city of La Paz, where the presidential palace and Congress are located.
He orchestrated the deployment of tanks to storm the Presidential Palace and Congress, creating a dramatic moment in the attempted overthrow.
One of the controversial aspects of this coup attempt is Zúñiga’s claim that his actions were carried out at the direct request of President Arce himself.
Zúñiga stated that Arce asked for his assistance to “bring out the tanks” to boost his popularity amidst the ongoing political crisis.
However, the coup attempt failed, and Zúñiga was arrested just hours after the incident.
He is currently under six months of preventive detention, facing serious charges such as terrorism and armed rebellion. If found guilty, Zúñiga could face imprisonment ranging from 15 to 20 years.
Speculation about Zúñiga’s political motives is rife. He is suspected of having political intentions to support former Bolivian President Evo Morales, who plans to run again in the 2025 elections.
President Arce has vehemently denied involvement in or prior knowledge of the military operation led by Zúñiga.
Internationally, this event has drawn strong condemnation as a breach of democracy and regional stability.
International organizations and neighboring countries of Bolivia have called for the resolution of this conflict through peaceful and legitimate democratic processes.
With Zúñiga and numerous others detained in connection with this coup attempt, Bolivia faces significant challenges in restoring public trust in its political processes.
This situation underscores the complexities of political dynamics in Latin America and their impact on regional stability.
