Juan José Zúñiga Macías (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxwaŋ xoˈse ˈsuɲiɣa maˈsias]) is a Bolivian Army officer who served as the General of the Bolivian Army from November 2022 until his dismissal in June 2024 following the 2024 Bolivian coup attempt.
Juan José Zúñiga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General of the Bolivian Army | |
| In office 1 November 2022 – 26 June 2024 | |
| President | Luis Arce |
| Succeeded by | José Wilson Sánchez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Uncía, Potosí, Bolivia[1] |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Bolivia |
| Branch/service |  Bolivian Army |
| Rank | General |
Background
editZúñiga served as colonel of the REIM-23 Max Toledo regiment between 2012 and 2013. He was charged with the embezzlement of Bs2.7 million intended for the Renta Dignidad and Juancito Pinto cash transfer schemes and well for traveling abroad without permission during his tenure and was incarcerated for seven days.[2][3][4] He subsequently worked as an intelligence officer.[5]
After serving as Chief of Staff and brigadier general, Zúñiga was appointed as commanding general of the Bolivian Army through a decree by Luis Arce on 1 November 2022.[6][7][8]
Conflict with Evo Morales
editOn 24 June 2024, Zúñiga announced that the Bolivian Armed Forces would arrest former President Evo Morales if he ran as a candidate in the next presidential elections in 2025.[9] In threats made against Morales, he described the former president as a "traitor" and accused him of plotting a revolution against the current government, while stating that the Constitution of Bolivia would prevent Morales from returning to power.[10][11] Following Zúñiga's proclamation, he was relieved of his post of commanding general on 25 June 2024.[10][11]
Prior to this event, Zúñiga was accused by Morales of being the commander of the military organization Pachajcho, allegedly plotting to eliminate the former president as part of a "black plan" against coca production leaders and political opponents.[10][2][3]
2024 coup attempt
editHe was the primary leader behind the 2024 Bolivian coup attempt on 26 June, attempting to "restore democracy".[12] President Luis Arce called on Zúñiga to demobilize soldiers who had taken over the main square of La Paz.[13] Zúñiga was detained by police soon after.[14] Zúñiga claimed that on 23 June—before the events had begun, which led to his arrest—he had met with Luis Arce; Zúñiga alleged that during their meeting, Arce had stated that to boost his popularity, he would attempt a self-coup; Zúñiga alleged that Arce had ordered Zúñiga to assist in this self-coup by deploying tanks into the streets.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ "Juan José Zúñiga, el general que odia a Evo Morales y dice escuchar la voz de Dios". El País (in Spanish). 26 June 2024. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Él es Juan José Zúñiga, general del Ejército de Bolivia que estaría detrás de intento de golpe de Estado". milenio.com (in Spanish).
- ^ a b "Juan José Zúñiga: Meet The Mastermind Of Bolivia Coup". 27 June 2024. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Who is General Zúñiga, the shadowy officer behind the thwarted coup in Bolivia?". AP News. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Who is General Zúñiga, the shadowy officer behind the thwarted coup in Bolivia?". Associated Press. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "Zuñiga, el nuevo Comandante del Ejército y exjefe de Inteligencia que "sabe mucho" de Evo y Arce". urgente.bo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ Padinger, Germán (26 June 2024). "¿Quién es el general Juan José Zúñiga Macías, el señalado líder del "intento de golpe de Estado" en Bolivia?". CNN (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Gaceta Oficial del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia". gacetaoficialdebolivia.gob.bo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Bolivia: quién es Juan José Zúñiga, el General que desafió el orden constitucional | Intento de golpe de Estado". PAGINA12 (in Spanish). 26 June 2024. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "El comandante del Ejército de Bolivia fue destituido tras amenazar a Evo Morales: "No puede ser más presidente de este país"". El País (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Reportan que el comandante del Ejército, Juan José Zúñiga, fue relevado de su cargo, tras polémicas declaraciones" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ Vock, Ido. "Bolivia: Soldiers storm presidential palace in apparent coup attempt". BBC. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Bolivia president Arce orders general to call off military action". Reuters. Reuters. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Attempted coup in Bolivia fails after president calls on country to mobilize in defense of democracy". CNN. CNN. 27 June 2024. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ "Antes de ser detenido, Juan José Zúñiga sugirió que se trató de un 'autogolpe': "El domingo me reuní con Arce"". infobae (in European Spanish). 26 June 2024. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ^ ""Arce me ordenó sacar los blindados para levantar su popularidad", acusa el general Zúñiga tras ser detenido por el intento de golpe de Estado en Bolivia". Latinus (in Spanish). 26 June 2024. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.