Amidst a flurry of unprecedented events in Plaza Murillo General Juan José Zúñiga’s audacious attempt to assert military authority has plunged Bolivia into more uncertainty. What began with provocative declarations against former President Evo Morales escalated into a dramatic standoff at Palacio Quemado, where Zúñiga, stormed the seat of government with armed forces. The standoff ended with Zúñiga’s arrest and the appointment of a new military leadership, but not before raising serious concerns about the country’s political stability.
Here are how the events unfolded:
Monday, June 24: Army Commander General Juan José Zúñiga gave an interview to a television channel discussing politics. He stated he would uphold the Political Constitution, disagreed with Evo Morales’ candidacy for president, and declared that he would apprehend Evo Morales if necessary. His statement sparked protests from supporters of Morales and calls for his removal from office.
Tuesday Evening, June 25 : It was reported that Zúñiga was relieved of his duties, but he denied this.
Wednesday, June 26:
11:00 AM: Despite being relieved of his duties, Zúñiga attended a ceremony in La Paz where ranks were conferred upon military personnel. As of that time, it was unofficially reported that there was some discontent within the Armed Forces due to the general’s failure to formally hand over his office.
1:00 PM: Former President Evo Morales announced on social media that division commanders have instructed regiment commanders to immediately return to their barracks and await further orders.
2:30 PM: Pedestrians in Plaza Murillo were taken by surprise as a contingent of soldiers, some wearing balaclavas and carrying assault weapons and shields, arrived. Tanks also surrounded the area, there was widespread confusion about the events unfolding in the country.
2:57 PM: President Arce addressed the nation on the social media platform X: “We denounce irregular mobilizations of certain units of the Bolivian Army.”
3:00 PM: Minister of Government Eduardo Del Castillo arrived at Plaza Murillo and approached the armored personnel carrier where Zúñiga was He knocked on the tank doors to request that Zúñiga disembark from the vehicle.
3:27 PM: A armored personal carrier ramms through the building’s open door. Heavily guarded by Military Police in riot gear, Zúñiga enters the Palacio Quemado.
3:55 PM: As Zúñiga was leaving Palacio Quemado and had a brief and bizarre encounter in the corridors with President Luis Arce. Arce ordered him to withdraw the military forces, stating, “If you respect military command and claim to be a good soldier, withdraw all these forces now. It’s an order, General.” Zúñiga, chewing coca, refused to comply.
4:25 PM: The military used tear gas on citizens who started protesting the ongoing events.
5:12 PM: Two hours later, President Luis Arce, accompanied by Vice President David Choquehuanca, replaced three military chiefs. José Wilson Sánchez was appointed as Army Commander General; Gerardo Zabala as Air Force Commander; and Renán Ramírez as Navy Commander Bolivia. The new commander urged the military to return to their units, which they did.
5:34 PM: The military strangely departed Plaza Murillo smoothly and without any clashes following the installation of the new military high command. Immediately afterward, the previously absent police took over Plaza Murillo. Images showed tanks leaving the square and Zúñiga departing as if nothing had happened.
Dozens of supporters of Arce also arrived at the scene on queue, rejecting the attempted coup and expressing their support for Arce.
Minutes later, President Arce and Vice President Choquehuanca addressed the nation from the balcony of Palacio Quemado, calling for calm and thanking the people who had taken to the streets to “defend democracy” and the government elected by the citizens’ vote.
6:35 PM: In a press conference, the Public Prosecutor’s Office announced a travel ban against General Zúñiga to prosecute him for several charges including terrorism and armed uprising against the sovereignty and security of the State.
Meanwhile, on social media, various institutions, organizations, politicians, and authorities criticized the attack on Bolivian democracy. Some voices claimed it was not an attempted coup but a “self-coup.”
7:00 PM: In a bizarre turn of events General Zúñiga, revealed startling details of a purported conversation with President Luis Arce. Zúñiga alleged that Arce instructed him to deploy armored vehicles to bolster his political standing amidst a tense national situation. This revelation came during an impromptu press conference while being apprehended by police.
“The president told me the situation is very screwed up, very critical. It’s necessary to prepare something to boost my popularity (the president of the State, Luis Arce, had told him). Should we bring out the armored vehicles? (he had asked Arce, who responded) bring them out. So on Sunday night, the armored vehicles started to deploy. Six Cascabels and six Urutús, plus 14 Z’s from the Achacachi Regiment,” the general fired off, in front of the Deputy Minister of Interior, Jhonny Aguilera.
