Bolivian President Luis Arce Thwarts Alleged Coup Attempt
General Vows to Restore Democracy as Armored Vehicles Storm Government Building
Political Crisis Follows Disputed 2019 Election
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Amidst ongoing civil protests stemming from the disputed 2019 Bolivian general election, a political crisis erupted on November 10, 2019. Led by General Williams Kaliman, armored vehicles breached the gates of Bolivia's government building, leading to a confrontation with President Luis Arce.
Kaliman, the head of the armed forces, declared his intent to restore democracy in the country, which has faced 190 coups throughout its 200-year history. However, President Arce condemned the actions as an attempted coup and ordered the military to withdraw.
Bolivia, a deeply polarized nation, has witnessed 21 days of protests following the election, which was marred by allegations of fraud. The crisis has ignited renewed tensions among various factions of the population.
As the situation unfolded, General Kaliman was detained, and the armed forces retreated from the presidential palace in La Paz. The outcome of the attempted coup remains uncertain, and the country continues to grapple with political instability.
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