The president of Bolivia thanks the people after a failed coup attempt

Following the placement of soldiers and armored military vehicles surrounding government facilities in La Paz on Wednesday, President Luis Arce of Bolivia urged the nation to "organize and mobilize against the coup d'état, in favor of democracy."

“We cannot allow coup attempts to take Bolivian lives once again. We want to urge everyone to defend democracy,” Arce said from the presidential residence, Casa Grande.

After calling on citizens to protect democracy, Arce dismissed Army General Commander Juan Jose Zuniga, along with the heads of the navy and air force. This move came as troops began retreating from the vicinity of the presidential palace. International leaders have condemned the military's actions as unlawful.

The newly appointed Army Chief, Jose Wilson Sanchez, has directed all mobilized troops to return to their barracks, citing that “no one wants the images we’re seeing in the streets.” In response, the public prosecutor’s office announced it would launch a criminal probe into those responsible for the failed coup.

“The three chiefs of the armed forces have come to express our dismay. There will be a new cabinet of ministers, surely things will change, but our country cannot continue like this any longer,” Zuniga told a local TV station. The general noted that he recognised Arce as the commander-in-chief “for now” but is trying to “restore democracy”.

Ex-President Evo Morales has criticized the military's actions in Murillo square outside the palace and called for legal action against Zuniga and his accomplices.

Meanwhile, a White House spokesperson stated that the United States is calling for calm and restraint, noting that the Biden administration is keeping a close watch on the situation.

Luis Almagro, the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), condemned the events, stating, “We condemned the events in Bolivia. The army must submit itself to the legitimately elected civil power.”