Failed Coup in Bolivia; 'The Government Was Aware in Advance'

One of Bolivia's senior ministers said on Thursday that the government had information about a coup attempt before the army commander and his forces could move towards the presidential palace. The failed coup on Wednesday lasted only a few hours, and world leaders quickly condemned it. However, such an event has raised concerns about the precarious situation in this Andean country of Latin America. Eduardo del Castillo, Bolivia's interior minister, said in an interview with Bolivia's state media that President Luis Arce had received reports about attempts to 'destabilize' the country, but the government did not have further information at that time. On Wednesday, the Bolivian army commander gathered several military units in La Paz, the capital, and then facilitated the entry of soldiers into the presidential palace by ramming an armored vehicle into its door. However, the soldiers eventually retreated, and the police regained control of the Moriyu Square in La Paz, with Mr. Arce immediately appointing a new commander for the army. Eduardo del Castillo stated that Juan José Zuniga, the former army commander, and Juan Arens Salvador, the former navy commander of Bolivia, were arrested. He then announced that 17 people have been arrested in connection with this incident, but the number of those involved in the failed coup was 'much higher' than this. The Bolivian ambassador at the Thursday morning meeting of the Organization of American States held in Paraguay said that about 200 officers participated in the coup operation led by Zuniga. Zuniga had recently stated that Evo Morales, the former president who was once an ally of Arce and is now his rival, should not be allowed to run for president again and threatened that he would not permit him to do so. According to Eduardo del Castillo, the army commander was informed on Tuesday evening that he would be dismissed from his position because his behavior 'did not comply with the constitution.' He noted that Zuniga reacted calmly to this news. Del Castillo said, 'But no one could have imagined that the next day a failed coup would occur in our country.'