Bolivia's Arce wins support after failed coup

While Bolivians contemplate their country's future after the failure of an attempted military coup, President Luis Arce found support at home and abroad, as leaders of neighboring countries condemned the military.

Arce urged his countrymen for support, as he rejected the demands of the coup plotters led by army commander Juan Jose Zuniga on Wednesday.

Soldiers led by Zuniga stormed the presidential palace in the city of La Paz on Wednesday afternoon, demanding a broad range of changes to government policies. Zuniga claimed the government's actions were destroying the fabric of the country.

In video images, Arce and his ministers were seen facing off against Zuniga and other military leaders amid the short-lived takeover of government buildings by the military. Tanks broke down the gate of Plaza Murillo, which connects the Palacio Quemado, where the central government is located.

Arce called on the people to take to the streets and fight for democracy. He vowed to stand firm and sacked Zuniga. He then named Jose Wilson Sanchez as the new army commander, who immediately ordered the troops to stand down.

Zuniga was later arrested by police and seen heading outside the city in a police vehicle.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro called on Bolivians "to defend their democracy, their constitution and their president".Chile's President Gabriel Boric denounced "the unacceptable use of force".

Uruguay's President Luis Lacalle Pou said the events "threatened the democratic and constitutional order" in Bolivia.

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro said the country's embassy in Bolivia would offer shelter to anyone being persecuted by the military.

"Today, it has been confirmed: a coup d'etat is underway in Bolivia," Anyelo Cespedes Miranda, a national deputy, told China Daily.

"Everything began around 3 pm when (Arce) denounced 'unusual movements' of military personnel in Plaza Murillo," Paola Zubieta, news chief at local television station Red Bolivision Cochabamba, told China Daily.

Military personnel, led by Zuniga, entered with tanks and weapons of war, took over the entire plaza, evicted civilians and media, and later entered the government palace.

Zuniga entered the government palace and remained inside for about 14 minutes. After that, he left the premises at around 4 pm and took shelter in a heavily guarded tank, Zubieta said.

Local media reported that Zuniga demanded the dismissal of Minister of Defense Edmundo Novillo and set a 20-minute deadline to implement the request.

"The coup must be condemned," Miranda said. The coup, which goes against the armed forces' subordination and adherence to the constitution, "is harmful to the country".

"We deeply regret having reached this situation. The armed forces are not meant to carry out coups in the 21st century. They are supposed to defend the country," Miranda said.

"We hope that the Bolivian population, united, will overcome this situation."

Juan Carlos Huarachi, top leader of the union Central Obrera Boliviana, announced the start of an indefinite strike and condemned the military actions as a coup d'etat.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.