Bolivian president thanks people after facing down failed coup attempt
www.aljazeera.com
Regional organisations mobilised behind Bolivian government after troops and armoured vehicles gathered in the capital.

“The country is facing an attempted coup d’etat. Here we are, firm in Casa Grande, to confront any coup attempt. We need the Bolivian people to organise,” Arce said in a video, surrounded by ministers in the palace.

The scenes have brought alarm to the Andean nation, where former left-wing President Morales, from the same party as Arce, was removed from office in events many described as a coup in 2019.

“We express the strongest condemnation of the attempted coup d’etat in Bolivia,” Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said.

Edit: The coup attempt apparently failed and the article has been updated

      • CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.workEnglish
        2·
        4 months ago

        I’m aware of the history of coups in Bolivia. However, I have a hard time taking this seriously:

        Dramatic footage on Bolivian television showed Arce facing down Zuniga and a group of soldiers in a palace hallway on Wednesday. “I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.

        We are supposed to believe that President Arcre defeated the coup attempt just by big-dicking General Zuniga on national television. It’s certainly possible that Zuniga really is just an incredible buffoon, but that seems very lucky for Arce and very embarrassing for the opposition.

        • Lemmykoopa@lemmygrad.ml
          1·
          4 months ago

          And the General claimed it was all staged afterwards lol. I believe atm that Acre did Sorkin his way out of it, but it’s up there with Fidel representing himself in court and winning levels of implausible yet happened

        • CCCP Enjoyer@lemmygrad.mlOPEnglish
          1·
          4 months ago

          I was watching some live footage and it was suggested this was a response to Morales trying to enter government again. I was seeing it as an open threat of a coup from the military that they weren’t prepared to carry any further, more than a serious coup attempt. But, maybe I’m less skeptical than I need to be.

      • CrimeDad@lemmy.crimedad.workEnglish
        2·
        4 months ago

        Lol thanks. I mean I guess it’s something that Evo sees it my way. I didn’t even realize that he and Arce were frenemies. I must have missed that episode!

        • loathsome dongeater@lemmygrad.mlMEnglish
          2·
          4 months ago

          Word is that Morales wants to primary for his party so he can be president next term but Arce does not want that so it was a bad ruse to boost his popularity. Lot of speculation though. Will be watching how it goes from here.