Bolivia: the three alleged leaders of the failed coup placed in detention

The former head of the Bolivian army, General Juan José Zuniga, and two other high-ranking officers accused of carrying out Wednesday the failed coup d'état against President Luis Arce were brought against him. placed on Saturday in provisional detention in a high security prison, noted the AFP.

On Friday, the courts ordered their incarceration for a period of six months in the Chonchocoro prison, on the outskirts of El Alto, a municipality close to La Paz, while the investigation into the armed uprising lasting a few hours.

Police officers escort vehicles carrying dismissed Bolivian army chief General Juan José Zuniga and two other high-ranking military officers during their transfer to the maximum security prison of San Pedro de Chonchocoro, on the outskirts of El Alto, on June 29, 2024 © AFP – Ernesto BENAVIDES

General Zuniga, former navy chief Vice Admiral Juan Arnez and former head of the mechanized brigade Alejandro Irahola are being prosecuted for “terrorism” and “armed uprising” and face up to 20 years in prison.

A total of 21 active, retired and civilian soldiers were arrested in connection with the attempted coup, during which troops equipped with armored vehicles besieged the presidential palace for several hours before retreating.

On Saturday, the Minister of the Interior indicated that he had provided the courts with evidence proving the military's intention to carry out a coup d'état against Mr. Arce.

Aerial view of the San Pedro de Chonchocoro high-security prison, in the suburbs of El Alto, June 29, 2024 © AFP – ERNESTO BENAVIDES

“We discovered a radio telegram” ordering the transfer of a plane to repatriate special forces to La Paz, Eduardo Del Castillo told the press.

< p>General Zuniga claimed to have acted on orders from the president, who asked him to “stage something to increase his popularity”. A version vigorously denied by Mr. Arce.

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