Bolivia’s presidential palace has been stormed by soldiers as the country’s president warned of an unfolding “coup”.
President Luis Arce said a “coup” was underway and demanded Gen Zúñiga stand down the troops which have taken over parts of central La Paz.
The apparent coup attempt was immediately denounced by the leaders of Mexico and Honduras.
Former president Evo Morales called on supporters of democracy to strike and block roads.
He wrote: “A group of the Challapata Special Regiment ‘Mendez Arcos’ took over Plaza Murillo with snipers.
Bolivian minister Maria Nela Prada published a video on her Facebook account showing the view from a window in a government building.
She said she was witnessing a “coup attempt”.
She said military units had taken positions at all four corners of the square and were not letting anyone enter.
Mr Morales, the first president to come from Bolivia’s indigenous majority, carried out a radical programme after winning power in 2005, aimed at addressing extreme social divisions and inequalities.
The former coca union leader resigned in 2019 after attempting to bypass the constitution and seek a fourth term in power. He was succeeded by opposition senator
Jeanine Áñez, who declared herself interim president in November 2019.
Mr Arce won the October 2020 presidential election, returning the Mas socialist party to power.
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