The Bolivian government announced on Thursday the arrest of 17 individuals, including active and retired military personnel and several civilians, for their alleged involvement in a failed coup against leftist President Luis Arce.
“A total of 17 people have been arrested for attempting to carry out a coup,” said Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo at a news conference.
Gen. Juan José Zúñiga and Vice Adm. Juan Arnez, former army and navy commanders respectively, were arrested on Wednesday, accused of leading the coup attempt.
On Thursday, the government presented the remaining 15 arrestees in handcuffs, wearing bulletproof vests and under police guard.
“This has been planned since May of last year,” del Castillo said. According to him, police are searching for three more retired military officers involved in the plot.
Del Castillo stated that the plan to overthrow the Bolivian president was led by Zúñiga and Arnez. Both officers are charged with armed insurrection and terrorism, crimes carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years, according to prosecutors.
Among the civilians arrested is Anibal Aguilar, a former deputy minister from the 1980s who coordinated the drug crop eradication program.
The minister added that not all participants in the coup attempt have been arrested yet and asked for public assistance in locating other suspects.
"We are confident that we will provide more information in the next few hours to bring transparency to this failed coup," he said.
