La Paz, Bolivia – Gimena Silva found herself plunged into fear and uncertainty when her husband, military major Luis Domingo Balanza, was implicated in a failed coup in Bolivia, leading to a barrage of death threats targeted at their family. As the grim reality of her husband’s detention settled in, Silva, a mother of three, sought solace with her mother and brother outside the jail where Balanza was held, desperate for any information about his well-being.
Balanza, who had served in the military for over 15 years, was among 21 individuals arrested following the attempted coup by a group of military personnel and armored vehicles, as described by the government. Families of those detained expressed confusion and anxiety, claiming ignorance of any conspiracy leading up to the dramatic events on Wednesday. Many insisted that their loved ones were merely following orders or were misled into believing they were participating in a military exercise.
President Luis Arce distanced himself from the families’ assertions of innocence, stating in an interview that the situation was the responsibility of those involved and not the government’s concern. The attempted coup sent shockwaves globally as images emerged of an armored vehicle crashing into the government palace in La Paz, prompting military officers to flee after President Arce stood firm in the face of the upheaval.
Legal proceedings following the arrests revealed plans to charge former Gen. Juan José Zuñiga with terrorism and leading an armed uprising. Approximately 200 military officers were reported to have taken part in the failed coup, with senior officials condemning the assault on Bolivian heritage. Protestors outside the jail demanded accountability, labeling Zuñiga a traitor and coup leader.
The detained individuals’ families, however, painted a different picture, citing economic devastation and emotional turmoil as they grappled with the fallout of their loved ones’ arrest. Despite limited details about the legal proceedings, most sought justice for those detained, claiming they had been manipulated or coerced into participating in the coup.
As allegations and counter-allegations swirled, the political landscape in Bolivia grew increasingly fractured, with Arce and former President Evo Morales locked in a power struggle. The unrest left Bolivians disillusioned and conflicted, questioning the motives behind the coup attempt and the subsequent arrests. While some demanded swift justice for the perpetrators, others raised concerns about high-level involvement and the need for a thorough investigation into the events of that fateful day.
The unfolding drama in Bolivia underscored deep-rooted tensions and divisions within the country, fueling calls for transparency and accountability in the midst of a political crisis. As families awaited news of their detained loved ones, uncertainty and fear permeated the air, casting a shadow over the nation’s fragile stability.