(27 Jun 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Buenos Aires – 27 June 2024
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Isabel Debre, Associated Press:
"Bolivians poured into the street on Thursday, rallying in support of democracy and in support of their president. Luis Arce denouncing a coup attempt by the country’s army chief, General Juan José Zúñiga who brought armored carriers, tanks, to the heart of La Paz, the capital. They tried to storm the presidential palace. His coup attempt lasted just three short and very chaotic hours, as Arce then reasserted control. Right before Zúñiga was hauled off to prison, he gave comments to live TV, actually accusing Arce of orchestrating the entire thing, saying it was a political ploy that has spawned massive conspiracy theories and ripped Bolivia up. Basically, analysts do say that this alleged coup attempt has provided a welcome reprieve for Arce, as shown by the protesters chanting in the streets and his support as he struggles amid a political crisis that pits him against former President Evo Morales ahead of elections in 2025. And amid an economic crisis that has completely wiped out the country’s foreign currency reserves and fuel.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
La Paz, Bolivia – 26 June 2024
++PART COVERING SOUNDBITE++
2. Supporters of Bolivian President Luis Arce outside the presidential palace, setting off flares and waving Bolivian flags
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LA PAZ, BOLIVIA – 26 June 2024
++PART COVERING SOUNDBITE++
3. Soldiers guard as an armored vehicle breaks through a door at the presidential palace
ASSOCIATED PRESS
La Paz, Bolivia – 27 June 2024
4. Palace’s entrance with damaged gate
5. Various of police guarding palace
6. People gathered to protest against Gen. Zúñiga
7. A man holding a banner reading (Spanish) "Democracy yes. Jail to the coup plotters."
8. Protest
STORYLINE:
Led by a top general vowing to “restore democracy,” armored vehicles rammed the doors of Bolivia’s government palace Wednesday in what the president called a coup attempt, then quickly retreated — the latest crisis in the South American country facing a political battle and an economic crisis.
Within hours, the nation of 12 million people saw a rapidly moving scenario in which the troops seemed to take control of the government of President Luis Arce. He vowed to stand firm and named a new army commander, who immediately ordered the troops to stand down.
Soon the soldiers pulled back, along with a line of military vehicles, ending the rebellion after just three hours. Hundreds of Arce’s supporters then rushed the square outside the palace, waving Bolivian flags, singing the national anthem and cheering.
The soldiers’ retreat was followed by the arrest of army chief General Juan José Zúñiga, after the attorney general opened an investigation.
The apparent coup attempt came as the country has faced months of tensions and political fights between Arce and his one-time ally, former leftist president Evo Morales, over control of the ruling party. It also came amid a severe economic crisis.
The clashes have paralyzed the government’s efforts to deal with the economic crisis. For example, Morales’ allies in Congress have consistently thwarted Arce’s attempts to take on debt to relieve some of the pressure.
Zúñiga referenced that paralysis during the rebellion, telling reporters the military was tired of the infighting and was seeking “to restore democracy.”
“The armed forces intend to restore the democracy, to make it a true democracy," he said.
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