Bolivia's Paz says no deaths or injuries in capture of Marsé

Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz stated that no fatalities or injuries occurred during the government’s arrest of former military official Juan José Zúñiga, who led a failed coup attempt earlier this year. The incident, which unfolded in June 2024, involved soldiers storming the presidential palace in La Paz, but authorities reported no serious casualties during the operation. Zúñiga, a high-ranking general, was detained and faces criminal charges for attempting to overthrow the government, a move he claimed aimed to “restructure democracy”.

The coup attempt, which drew condemnation from regional governments and Bolivian institutions, highlighted ongoing tensions within the country’s military and political spheres. Paz’s administration emphasized the peaceful resolution of the crisis, contrasting it with earlier conflicts, such as the 2024 military plane crash near La Paz that killed 22 people and injured 29 others. That incident, involving a cargo plane carrying newly printed banknotes, caused significant disruption but did not involve direct political violence.

Political instability persists in Bolivia, with former President Evo Morales recently accusing the Arce government of orchestrating a “dark plot” against him, though such claims remain unverified. Meanwhile, Paz’s government has faced protests over economic policies, including the controversial Decree 5503, which sought to eliminate fuel subsidies and privatize natural resources. After mass mobilizations led by labor unions, the decree was revised to exclude austerity measures.

Paz’s assertion of zero casualties in the Zúñiga arrest underscores efforts to present a controlled narrative amid Bolivia’s complex political landscape. However, the country’s history of unrest, including the 2019 coup against Morales and recent clashes between rival factions, suggests continued challenges for stability and governance.