At least 14 people were injured by the soldiers who participated in the coup operation
Luis Arce gave RT an exclusive interview in which he delved into the attempted coup d’état
After the attempted coup d’état that occurred this Wednesday in Bolivia, the president of the nation, Luis Arce, gave RT an exclusive interview this Thursday in which he analyzed and delved into the topic.
In an interview with correspondent Camila Lozano, the president commented on the possible external interference if the version that some actors abroad are involved in the coup attempt is considered.
According to Arce, in every coup d’état in Latin America, in addition to “internal interests”, there have always been “external interests.” In the specific case of Bolivia, this phenomenon has been “practically a constant,” he assured.
All the coups in the country have had the economic issue as their premise. The most recent of them, in 2019, has been the issue of lithium, he said.
“At that time, we were negotiating the award of a long-term lithium contract. That is why we never rule out the possibility that there are always internal and external interests behind coups d’état,” the president said.
In a press conference held today, Arce reported that at least 14 people were injured by the soldiers who participated in yesterday’s coup operation.
Coup attempt
On June 26, a large number of Bolivian soldiers gathered in Plaza Murillo in La Paz, near the headquarters of the country’s executive and legislative branches. Bolivian President Luis Arce denounced “irregular mobilizations by some units of the Bolivian Army” which later entered the presidential palace by force. Arce said that it was an attempted coup d’état and called for the defense of democracy.
Behind the actions was the recently dismissed general, Juan José Zúñiga, who stated that there was “annoyance” among the military over the political climate in Bolivia and threatened the arrival of a “new cabinet.” Zúñiga and Arce met at the Government Palace.
Subsequently, Arce proceeded to install a new military high command. The troops that had reached Plaza Murillo withdrew, once the new commanders ordered their withdrawal. Meanwhile, Zúñiga was arrested hours later, accused of leading the coup attempt against the president’s Administration. At least 16 soldiers and civilians were also arrested.
In the midst of the events, the Bolivian people took to the streets in support of the president. Demonstrators gathered in Plaza Murillo to reject the military uprising and demanded imprisonment and the full weight of the law against Zúñiga and the others involved. With chants, they expressed their support for Arce, also known as ‘Lucho’. “Lucho is not alone, damn it. Lucho is not alone, damn it,” they shouted.
Many Bolivians stayed until late at night in the vicinity of the presidential palace in a show of support for Arce and his Cabinet.
