Armored vehicles and military units began to withdraw after Bolivian President Luis Arce called the people to the squares and appointed new names to the military leadership.
Following a call by President Luis Arce, thousands of people gathered in Plaza Murillo Square in front of the Government Palace, holding Bolivian flags.
Arce addressed the crowd gathered in front of the Government Palace after the coup attempt, which was seen to have failed with the withdrawal of armored vehicles and military units from the square. Arce said, “Thank you very much 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.”
Face-to-face confrontation with putschist general
The most dramatic moment of the coup attempt was the face-to-face discussion between Bolivian President Arce and General Juan José Ziga, who led the coup attempt.
Footage broadcast by Bolivian television showed Arce arguing with General Juan José Ziga in the corridor of the palace. Arce is seen telling the general, “I am your commander-in-chief. I order you to withdraw your troops. I will not allow this insubordination.”
Latin American leaders condemn coup attempt
Latin American leaders issued statements in support of democracy and condemning the attempted coup in Bolivia as it continues.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on Bolivians to “defend democracy, their constitution and their head of state.” Maduro said, “No to fascism! No to putschism!… How dare they stage a coup in the 21st century?”
Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou condemned the events in Bolivia that threaten democracy and constitutional order. Paraguayan President Santiago Pena criticized the “abnormal mobilization” of military troops.
The Brazilian government convened an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis in Bolivia. Brazil’s Luiz Incio Lula da Silva told reporters: “I want democracy to prevail in Latin America. Coups have never succeeded.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered his country’s embassy in Bolivia to offer asylum to anyone persecuted by coup plotters. “There will be no diplomatic relations between Colombia and the dictatorship,” Petro said.
Chilean President Gabriel Poric said the use of force by part of the Bolivian army was unacceptable. Poric condemned the coup attempt and expressed solidarity with Bolivian President Arce.
