A top Bolivian official reported that an army general arrested during Wednesday’s alleged failed coup attempt aimed to seize power, and a second high-ranking officer was also detained in connection with the uprising.
Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo announced in the evening that, alongside Juan José Zúñiga, former navy Vice Adm. Juan Arnez Salvador had been taken into custody. Both men were dismissed by President Luis Arce and replaced following the onset of the uprising. Del Castillo accused Zúñiga of attempting a coup for political reasons.
“What was this group’s goal? The goal was to overturn the democratically elected authority,” del Castillo stated during a press conference where the two men were presented.
“Gen. Zúñiga wanted to take power,” he added.
Del Castillo also mentioned that two individuals were injured and hospitalized: one was hit in the leg by a shotgun pellet, while details about the other injury were not disclosed.
