General Juan José Zúñiga Macias, the former general commander of the Bolivian Army, played a significant role in the military uprising that occurred in front of the Bolivian government headquarters in La Paz. Zúñiga, who had been in the position of general commander since 2022, was removed from his role on Tuesday and officially replaced by General José Wilson Sánchez amid the riots in the capital.
Zúñiga led a group of military personnel in an attempt to carry out a coup d’état against the government of President Luis Arce, accusing it of threatening national sovereignty and pursuing partisan interests over the country’s natural resources. Zúñiga is known for his opposition to Evo Morales, the former Bolivian president, and has expressed his strong opposition to Morales potentially returning to the presidency.
The confrontation between Zúñiga and Morales has been ongoing for years, with exchanges of accusations taking place. Zúñiga stated that the Bolivian Armed Forces are meant to ensure respect for the Constitution, and he believes Morales is legally disqualified from running for president.
During a press conference, Zúñiga reiterated his stance on Morales, stating that Morales cannot return to the presidency. He expressed his discontent with the situation, emphasizing the need to stop impoverishing the country and humiliating the military. Zúñiga’s actions and statements have sparked controversy and raised concerns about the political situation in Bolivia.