‘Irregular’ military movement sparks coup fears in Bolivia

A heavy presence of soldiers trooping from armoured vehicles into the doors of Bolivia’s government palace on Wednesday has sparked fears of a coup attempt. 

President Luis Arce warned that a coup would not be allowed and called for “democracy to be respected”.

A TikTok post by Bolivia TV showed a group of soldiers and military police entering the government palace, in front of which a military armoured vehicle was parked.

In another video, Arce is seen confronting Juan Zúñiga, who led the rebellion.

“I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” the president said.

Reports had filtered in that the commander was set to be dismissed.

After surrounding Murillo Square, Zúñiga told journalists, “We are going to recover this homeland,” according to El Deber, a local newspaper.

“There will be a new cabinet of ministers; surely it will be changed, but our state cannot continue like this,” the colonel added.

Former President Evo Morales immediately offered support, saying his supporters would mobilise to support democracy.

Josep Borrell, the top diplomat of the European Union (EU), condemned “any attempt to disrupt the constitutional order in Bolivia and overthrow democratically elected governments”.

Borrell said the EU expresses its solidarity with the Bolivian government and people.

In a video statement, Arce, accompanied by his cabinet, urged citizens to mobilise against the “coup d’état” and in favour of democracy.