The Bolivian government and countries in the region condemned this Wednesday the attempted coup in Bolivia, following the insubordination of a group of military personnel in the country's capital.
The Minister of the Presidency of Bolivia, María Nela Prada, stated that "Plaza Murillo is being occupied by a group of soldiers who have deployed tanks and are stationed outside the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the front of the Government Palace."
"They have taken the four corners of the square, there are troops in the square and in front of the Government House," explained the official from the People's House, who said that the people will defend democracy and prevent the constitutional order from being broken again.
The former president Evo Morales, leader of the MAS and who intends to run in the upcoming elections, denounced that "A group from the Special Regiment of Challapata 'Méndez Arcos' took Plaza Murillo with snipers," which seemed to indicate that they had prepared the coup in advance, and asked the people with a "democratic vocation to defend the Homeland."
Former president Jeanine Áñez Chávez repudiated "the mobilization of the Military in Plaza Murillo attempting to destroy the constitutional order," and recalled that "the MAS with Arce and Evo must leave through the vote in 2025. Bolivians will defend democracy," she emphasized.
Carlos D. Mesa Gisbert, former president and leader of the Civic Community party, also condemned the military action "which seeks to undermine democracy and interrupt the current constitutional period."
The mandate of the current government must end on November 8, 2025. Any attempt like this is nothing more than a coup d'état. Comunidad Ciudadana aligns itself with the militant defense of democracy," he added.
Some governments in the region have also spoken out about the military, who even entered the Government Palace with tanks.
The Cuban regime, an ally of Morales, rejected "these acts" and expressed its solidarity with President Luis Arce.
Around 3:00 p.m. this Wednesday, military personnel led by General Juan José Zúñiga, commander of the Army, took over Plaza Murillo, the political center of the country; and later on, they entered with tanks into Palacio Quemado, the main headquarters of the Bolivian Executive Power and the president's office.
Zúñiga, with tanks behind him, declared that the Armed Forces were mobilized and announced the takeover of the People's House, while the Minister of Public Works, Edgar Montaño, stated that the citizens were mobilizing against it.
Residents affiliated with President Arce and others have arrived at the square in La Paz, where they are trying to enter.
The Spanish left-wing politician Pablo Iglesias reported that Arce confronted the coup leader General Zúñiga in Palacio Quemado and ordered him to demobilize the rebels. "The general refuses, but has already left the Palace without daring to proclaim himself president. The rest of the garrisons have not revolted," Iglesias said.
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