Bolivia arrests 17 as failed coup deepens instability [Video]

Bolivian authorities on Thursday paraded handcuffed detainees in front of the media, announcing 17 arrests after a botched coup d’etat that has deepened political turmoil in a country mired in severe economic crisis.

Tensions have been rising in recent weeks in the Andean nation over surging prices, shortages of dollars and fuel, and a feud between Arce and the powerful former president Evo Morales ahead of 2025 elections.

Riot police kept close watch over government buildings a day after army chief Juan Jose Zuniga deployed troops and tanks to the heart of the capital La Paz, where they tried to break down a door of the presidential palace.

“The armed forces intend to restructure democracy, to make it a true democracy and not one run by the same few people for 30, 40 years,” Zuniga said.

Shortly thereafter, the soldiers and tanks pulled back from the historic Plaza Murillo square, …