La Paz
Military attacks presidential palace in Bolivia
Noam Bertling,
Nora Fernstedt
Updated 23.41 | Published 22.02
Military in Bolivia has attacked the presidential palace with tanks.
- The country is facing an attempted coup d'état, says President Luis Arce.
He calls on the people to resist the coup plotters.
Quick version
Images show tanks ramming through the doors of the presidential palace in i La Paz.
In social media videos, loud bangs are heard.
Clips from Bolivian television show President Luis Arce confronting the country's former army chief, Juan Jose Zuniga, who is leading the coup attempt.
- I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this disobedience.
Furthermore, he calls on the Bolivian people to organize and fight back against the coup plotters.
Later in the evening, he named three new chiefs of the country's army.
The EU condemns
Earlier in the evening, the president had warned of the "irregular movements" of the troops. In a statement, he appealed for international help, and called on the people to respect democracy.
At the same time, television images began to roll out showing the tanks in front of the presidential palace.
Former President Evo Morales and the country's Vice President David Choquehuanca also condemn the incident. So does the EU.
The Swedish Embassy: Avoid public gatherings
The Swedish embassy in Bolivia writes on its website:
On Wednesday, June 26, the military gathered in front of the government building in central La Paz and also in other places in the country. Some major roads in the country are reported to be blocked by military vehicles.
At the moment, the purpose of the increased military presence is still unclear.
Travelers are advised to follow developments closely via local media and to avoid crowds and places with a military presence.
Top general deposed yesterday - leads coup
Juan Jose Zuniga was deposed yesterday as head of the country's army, after not approving the country's new socialist government, writes El Pais.
- The commanders of the armed forces have come to express our displeasure. There will be a new set of ministers, things will change, but our country cannot continue like this, Zuniga told a local television channel, according to Reuters, before the troops stormed the palace.
He says he's still under the president's command, "for now," but he's monitoring the situation.
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