In a surprising turn of events, Bolivian General Williams Kaliman and a group of military supporters have withdrawn their support for what appears to be an attempted coup in the South American country. The move comes after weeks of political turmoil following the disputed presidential election in October, which led to the resignation of former President Evo Morales.
General Kaliman, who was appointed as head of the Bolivian armed forces by Morales in 2018, announced the military’s decision to withdraw its support for the government on Sunday. In a statement, he cited the need to “avoid further bloodshed and confrontations among Bolivians” as the reason for the military’s intervention.
The apparent coup attempt began last week, when Morales resigned under pressure from the military and opposition groups amid widespread protests over allegations of electoral fraud. Following his resignation, opposition senator Jeanine Añez declared herself interim president, prompting Morales’ supporters to take to the streets in protest.
The situation escalated on Friday, when police and military forces clashed with Morales’ supporters in the capital city of La Paz. The violence resulted in several deaths and injuries, prompting international condemnation and calls for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The decision by General Kaliman and the military to withdraw their support for the apparent coup is a significant development in the ongoing political crisis in Bolivia. It remains to be seen how this will impact the country’s political future and whether it will lead to a peaceful resolution to the current unrest.
In the meantime, interim President Añez has called for a new round of presidential elections to be held within 90 days, in an effort to restore stability and legitimacy to the Bolivian government. It is unclear at this time who will run in the elections and whether Morales, who remains in exile in Mexico, will be allowed to participate.
The situation in Bolivia continues to evolve rapidly, with many uncertainties and challenges ahead. It is imperative that all parties involved prioritize dialogue and peaceful resolution to avoid further violence and instability in the country. Only through a united effort to uphold democracy and respect for the rule of law can Bolivia move forward and begin to rebuild its fractured society.