Bolivian President Luis Arce on June 27 denied any involvement or prior knowledge of a failed coup attempt led by the country's former top military commander who alleged the president had asked him to do something to boost his popularity.
The mobilisation of military units on Wednesday (June 26) saw Juan Jose Zuniga gather troops in the main square of the capital La Paz, ramming a palace door with an armoured vehicle to allow soldiers to rush into the building.
Zuniga, who was soon arrested, told reporters that Arce had asked him to help boost his popularity.
Local news agency Fides reported Zuniga told police Arce had three days earlier authorised him to mobilise the armoured vehicles "with the objective of controlling the situation of conflicts in the country".
Arce said Zuniga "acted on his own accord", and upon learning of what was happening, the leader called ex-President Evo Morales, his former ally turned political rival, to warn him.
Zuniga was arrested along with former navy commander Juan Arnez Salvador, Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo said. He later said 17 people had been detained so far, but there were "many more who had participated".
#bolivia #military #coup #worldnews
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