By Esteban Biba and Esneyder NegreteLa Paz, Jun 29 (EFE).- Bolivian President Luis Arce said in an interview with EFE on Saturday that he never had a close relationship with ousted and imprisoned army commander Juan José Zúñiga, who led a military uprising that tried to seize power. On Wednesday evening, a tank rammed through the doors of Bolivia’s seat of government at 3:51 pm local time, as the commander-in-chief of the Bolivian army, Juan José Zúñiga, threatened to take over the seat of government and change the cabinet. Arce had a brief confrontation with Zúñiga at the door of the presidential palace.The former commander was later arrested and said the president had ordered him to take out the “armored vehicles” to “increase” his popularity.On Saturday, in conversation with EFE, the Bolivian president recalled Wednesday’s events.Were you afraid for your life and for the welfare of the citizens?L.A.: Of course, we are all human, and we were surprised; my mind went through what I lived in 79 and 80, when we defended democracy against two coups, and also in 2019.However, someone had to keep calm and serenity when we instructed the Chief of Staff to inform the population of what was happening in Murillo Square.The response of the Bolivian people was immediate, and groups of citizens began to appear.What was Zúñiga’s plan?L.A.: He wanted to be president; he wanted to overthrow the government; he said it that day; he claimed that the military wanted to restore democracy and rebuild the country.It was a clear affront by an officer who wanted to be in charge of the country. He wanted to take Casa Grande, go in, and be the next president. He wanted to stage a real coup.Why did Zúñiga fail?L.A.: Several things went wrong and worked against him; not all the armed forces obeyed his orders.Three commanders ordered the garrisoning of the armed forces when no one had authorized it; however, there were people in the army who did not react.They also wanted to seduce the police. The chief of police said that the three commanders told him to join them.I recognize his strength and his democratic vocation because he told them that he would not do it.You appointed Zúñiga a commander-in-chief; what was your relationship with him?L.A.: Like any other officer.He points out that he played basketball with you on Sundays and that you were close.L.A.: I went to play basketball, but he did not go every Sunday. We played with different people; we played many, many years ago.I always tried to keep things separate; we had fun and joked; however, we did not engage on political, governmental, or state issues.You did not have a close relationship or friendship with him?L.A.: I never talked to him privately; we always talked like any other basketball teammates, always maintaining the Army commander’s respect for the president because he (the president) is his superior.How do you interpret Zúñiga’s act of disloyalty?L.A.: It is clear that he had pretensions, that someone spoke to him, whispered in his ear, and made him believe he could be the next president by overthrowing the democratically elected government.There are other people behind him, it is clear.What was going through your mind when you confronted Zúñiga?L.A.: A few minutes before, he had mentioned to the media that he was a good soldier doing his duty and that the military should rebuild the country.He thought he was a good soldier, but I am the commander, I am the captain; if he was a good soldier, he should have followed my orders, I told him so.Is the country more united after the uprising?L.A.: It is clear that the Bolivian people are not willing to endure another coup attempt; it is a message to all who are thinking about it. The people have mobilized, and a union has declared an indefinite strike.We will make sure that the democratic will of the Bolivian people is respected. The Bolivian people have come out stronger, which gives us a more solid mandate. EFEeb-enb/mcd
