Bolivian police arrest leader of apparent coup attempt

Troops pulled away from government buildings hours after the presidential palace was stormed.

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Hundreds of troops and armoured vehicles had taken up position on Murillo Square where key government buildings are located. One armoured vehicle attempted to smash down the entrance to the presidential palace. Soldiers later withdrew from the South American city.

The military leader in charge, Gen Juan José Zúñiga, had said he wanted to "restructure democracy" and that while he respected President Luis Arce "for now", there would be a change of government.

He was later arrested, seconds after telling reporters the military had staged the intervention at the president's request.

Gen Zúñiga, who was first appointed commander of the Bolivian Army in 2022, was removed from his role on Tuesday, after he made inflammatory comments about the country's former president, Evo Morales, during an interview the previous day.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c288eewr1wko

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