Bolivia’s armed forces have arrested the general accused of launching a botched coup on Wednesday.
President Luis Arce swiftly condemned the action as a coup attempt.
However, the situation was promptly defused as the troops rapidly retreated, marking the latest episode in Bolivia’s ongoing struggles with political instability and economic uncertainty, AP reports.
The attempted rebellion was short-lived, as the soldiers and military vehicles withdrew just three hours later, paving the way for a jubilant celebration by President Arce’s supporters.
Hundreds of them flooded the palace square, waving Bolivian flags, singing the national anthem, and cheering.
The failed coup attempt was followed by the arrest of Army Chief General Juan José Zúñiga, who is now under investigation by the attorney general.
According to Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo, former Navy Vice Admiral Juan Arnez Salvador was also taken into custody, marking a swift crackdown on the attempted uprising.
“What was this group’s goal? The goal was to overturn the democratically elected authority,” del Castillo told journalists in announcing the arrests.
Late Wednesday, Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo said “everything is now under control.”
Surrounded by the new military chiefs appointed by Arce, Novillo said that Bolivia lived a “failed coup.”
The attempted coup in Bolivia occurred amidst a backdrop of prolonged political tensions and infighting between President Luis Arce and his former ally, ex-President Evo Morales, over control of the ruling party.
The country has also been grappling with a severe economic crisis, which has been exacerbated by the political stalemate.
The ongoing clashes have effectively paralyzed the government’s ability to address the economic woes, with Morales’ supporters in Congress consistently blocking Arce’s efforts to secure debt relief and alleviate the economic pressure.
