Bolivia's attempted coup, dueling versions of what happened, raise worries over what comes next
Bolivians were grappling with the attempted coup on Thursday undertaken by General Gen. Juan José Zúñiga, rattling the government of President Luis Arce and the dueling versions of who was behind it.
A sense of calm filled the streets of Bolivia's capital, La Paz, on Thursday as Bolivians thumbed through the pages of a newspaper headline that read, “FAILED COUP.”
But amid the calm on the streets are nagging skepticism about what was behind the chaos the day before and, more importantly, questions over the democracy that remains in place.
While President Luis Arce blamed the attempted coup on a general, Juan Jose Zúñiga — who was arrested along with at least 18 others — the general claimed it was staged by the president to boost his popularity.
The wide-ranging speculation surrounding the reason and potential people behind the attempted coup are a perfect illustration of a splintered country.
For over four hours on Wednesday evening, dramatic visuals were pouring out of Bolivia’s capital city La Paz. Smoke bombs and tear gas filled crowded streets that became a flurry of shields and flame, as armored vehicles were seen ramming the door of the Bolivian presidential palace.
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