Opinion:The context of the Bolivian coup attempt

SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2024

Indigenous rights activist MIRIAM AMANCAY COLQUE gives her thoughts on the dramatic events in La Paz earlier this week which saw a thwarted attempt to overthrow President Arce



An armored vehicle and military police form outside the government palace at Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia, June 26, 2024

WHAT is behind the attempted coup in Bolivia?

There are conflicting versions. It is said that initially what happened in Bolivia was a self-coup that got out of hand for the government of Luis Arce and it became a coup d’etat led by the former commander of the armed forces, General Juan Jose Zuniga. Police did nothing to prevent this attempted coup.

Some MPs also said that this was a highly planned operation to restore Luis Arce’s popularity which has dropped to only 18 per cent. The purpose: to close parliament and go after Evo Morales, even if they have to kill him.

Zuniga was recently removed from office after making statements of a political nature and threatening Evo Morales, the president of the MAS-IPSP (Movement for Socialism), stating that he would not be allowed to be a candidate in 2025. “We will put Evo in jail if he runs as a candidate,” he said.

. . .

There is general unhappiness in the country. It seems that Arce has turned towards a neoliberal stance. The economic situation is untenable, there is lack of gas, petrol, dollars, the price of basic food has increased, as well as the informal trade due to unemployment. Every day there are complaints of widespread corruption, mismanagement, etc.

More:
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/context-bolivian-coup-attempt

(My bolding)