INTUSK MAGAZINE

Following President Luis Arce's criticism of a "coup" attempt against the government and appeal for outside assistance, Bolivian armed personnel withdrew from the presidential palace in La Paz on Wednesday night, and a general was taken into custody. 

The presidential palace and Congress are located in the central Plaza Murillo plaza, where military forces under the leadership of General Juan Jose Zuniga, who was just relieved of his military command, had assembled earlier in the day.

Arce called on the populace to come to the streets on Wednesday afternoon to protect the nation's democracy against what seemed to be a coup attempt, following the military's takeover of the government facilities located in La Paz's central plaza.

Concerning photos of the incidents circulated on social media, prompting former president Evo Morales to issue a warning as well. In order to counter the purported coup attempt, Morales called on his followers to block highways and go to the streets. He placed the blame on Gen. Juan José Zúñiga, the newly fired army chief.

By nightfall, there were rumours that Zúñiga had been arrested at the La Paz general staff headquarters' entrance on suspicion of terrorism and armed rebellion. He was seen being driven off in a white police pickup vehicle on camera.