The general Juan José Zúñiga He is the soldier who leads the rebels in La Paz who carry out an attempted coup against the president of Bolivia, Luis Arce. Zúñiga had been relieved of his position the day before for threatening former president Evo Morales.
“Our Homeland, once again, has lowered the stalking of internal and external enemies that seek division, destabilization and hatred among Bolivians, to take over natural resources for the benefit of petty interests and power groups that respond to caudillismo. “he said in the last hours, according to Bolivian media.
This afternoon Zúñiga and those accompanying him entered the Presidential Palace, in front of Plaza Murillo, in the center of La Paz.
Who is General Juan José Zúñiga?
The commander of the Bolivian Army, Juan José Zúñigalost his position on Tuesday after a series of threats against former president Evo Morales.
Zuñiga is a high-ranking military officer, a general commander in Bolivia, who opposes Evo Morales’ candidacy in 2025. In televised statements this week, the military officer had said that Morales “can no longer be president of this country.”
In an interview with a Bolivian media, Zúñiga was asked about former President Morales’ claims about his statements.
“I am a soldier of honor who is willing to offer his life for the defense and unity of the homeland. Our homeland, once again, has fallen under the threat of internal and external enemies who seek division, destabilization and hatred between Bolivians, to take over natural resources for the benefit of petty interests and power groups that respond to caudillismo”, he explained.
Coup attempt in Bolivia
Bolivian President Luis Arce on Wednesday denounced “irregular mobilizations” by the military as troops and tanks were stationed outside the government headquarters in La Paz. “We denounce irregular mobilizations of some units of the Bolivian Army. Democracy must be respected”the president wrote on his social network X.
For his part, former president Evo Morales assured that a “coup d’état” is brewing in Bolivia, given the unusual deployment of tanks and troops in front of the government headquarters.
“The Coup d’état is brewing. At this moment, personnel from the Armed Forces and tanks are deployed in Plaza Murillo”said Morales in X. “We call for a National Mobilization to defend Democracy against the coup d’état that is being planned by the general” Juan José Zuñiga, army commander, noted in another message on the same social network.
Source: Ambito
