Bolivia Coup Sparks CIA Conspiracy Theories

This is the second CIA-backed coup plot against the Bolivian state in under 5 years.

Bolivia has 21 million tons of lithium reserves—the largest on the planet.

Bolivia also cut off all relations with Israel in condemnation of the genocide in Gaza.

Coincidence? I think not.

— sarah (@sahouraxo) June 26, 2024

A comment—seemingly referring to the U.S.—from Puerto Rican communist “Combate” said: “They own Argentina. They own Chile. They’re going after Bolivia.”

A different post highlighted Arce’s recent trip to St.Petersburg and talks between Bolivia and Russia on nuclear research

“Let’s not pretend we don’t know who is responsible for today’s coup, this is the work of the U.S. CIA,” the post said.

3 weeks ago Bolivia President, Luis Alberto Arce Catacora flew to St Petersburg, Russia to attend the International Economic Forum…

The two countries talked of implementing several projects such as the Nuclear Research and Technology Centre..

Let’s not pretend we don’t know… pic.twitter.com/lgbbCDV5r0

— Pelham (@Resist_05) June 26, 2024

Wednesday’s coup attempt saw tanks and troops deployed in front of the Bolivian government headquarters in La Paz, attempting to break down the door of the presidential palace and depose the democractically elected President Luis Arce. It was thwarted by Arce loyalists and a forceful response from his security team, resulting in coup-leader General Juan José Zúñiga being arrested on live television.

BREAKING:

🇧🇴 Bolivia coup plotter, CIA-backed General Zúñiga EXHIBITED IN HANDCUFFS

“We are going to make our country’s democracy be respected, whatever it takes.” pic.twitter.com/uLL4dmmxj0

— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) June 27, 2024

Zúñiga stated that his intention was to “restructure democracy,” and in an interview following his arrest, he accused Acre of having ordered the coup attempt himself so he could defeat the military and boost his own popularity.

While there is no evidence of CIA involvement in Wednesday’s failed coup, suspicion of the U.S. in Bolivia—stemming from the CIA’s historical support for Latin American military regimes and the State Department’s involvement in several coups under Henry Kissinger—has left a lasting legacy on the political life of the South American country, which has seen over 190 coup attempts in its history.

In 2008 leftist president Evo Morales expelled the U.S. ambassador for allegedly “conspiring against democracy,” claims that the State Department said were baseless, and in 2017, he accused the U.S. of being a “real threat to world security and peace.”

Before Wednesday’s failed attempt, the most recent coup in 2019 saw Morales overthrown in favor of right-wing politician Jeanine Áñez, who is now in jail.

Arce, a socialist, succeed Áñez in 2020, campaigning on a platform of democracy and the peaceful transfer of power; his tenure has been characterized by severe economic crises. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts Bolivia’s economy to grow by just 2.3 per cent in 2025, its lowest growth in 25 years, excluding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bolivian President Luis Arce raises a clenched fist surrounded by supporters and media in La Paz, Bolivia, on June 26, 2024. Social media users have speculated on whether the CIA was involved in Wednesday’s unsuccessful…
Bolivian President Luis Arce raises a clenched fist surrounded by supporters and media in La Paz, Bolivia, on June 26, 2024. Social media users have speculated on whether the CIA was involved in Wednesday’s unsuccessful coup against him.
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Juan Karita/AP Photo

Despite its current economic situation, the country is of critical geopolitical significance, being home to one of the world’s largest supplies of lithium, an essential mineral for the transition to renewable energy.

It is a member of the global non-aligned movement, a forum of 120 countries that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. However, in 2023 it applied for membership of BRICS, an intergovernmental organization including Brazil, Russia, India and China, among others, which has been expanding its geopolitical influence in the global south.

Uncommon Knowledge