Quick response from Bolivians helps thwart coup attempt: government official

La Paz, June 28 (IANS):The attempted coup against Bolivian President Luis Arce was foiled by the immediate and spontaneous response of the people, social organizations and political leaders, a senior Bolivian official.

During the 54th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Asuncion, Paraguay, Bolivia’s ambassador to the organization, Hector Arce, said that the “brave and determined” stance of President Arce, who personally defeated the coup leader, former army commander General Juan Jose Zuniga, was also decisive in crushing Wednesday’s uprising, Xinhua news agency reports.

He also pointed to the general lack of support for Zuniga from the military, the strong international condemnation and the immediate support from presidents and governments of several countries and international organizations.

The Bolivian Ambassador expressed his deep gratitude to the international community for its steadfast support and emphasized the strong commitment of the Bolivian public to democracy.

Earlier on Thursday, as many as 17 people, mostly military personnel, were arrested in Bolivia for their role in a failed coup, Minister Eduardo Del Castillo said.

On Wednesday, hundreds of soldiers led by General Juan Jose Zuniga marched on Murillo Square, the epicenter of Bolivia’s political power, and entered the old government palace in a failed attempt to oust President Luis Arce from office.

The immediate actions of the new army commander, Jose Sanchez, who ordered the troops to return to their units and reaffirmed his support for the government, were crucial in stabilizing the situation.

Moreover, President Arce on Wednesday denounced the coup attempt and emphasized that “democracy must be respected.”