Intelligence warned Bolivian government of preparation for coup

The Bolivian government had intelligence about a possible coup attempt even before the ex-general and his troops stormed the presidential palace.

This was announced on Thursday by Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo, Reuters reports.

In an interview with local broadcaster Unitel, Castillo said President Luis Arce had received a report of "attempts at destabilization," but said the government had no more details at the time.

The retired general who carried out Wednesday's failed coup, Juan Jose Zuniga, has been arrested, along with former navy chief Juan Arnes Salvador, Castillo said. He said about a dozen officers were also detained and face prison terms of 15 to 30 years.

Del Castillo said Zuniga was told Tuesday night that he would be removed from his post because his behavior was “unconstitutional.” He added that Zuniga reacted calmly to the news.

But no one could have imagined that the next day, before the official transfer of powers, an unsuccessful coup would take place in our country,” he said.

Late Wednesday, Presidential Administration Minister Maria Nela Prada told reporters that Zuniga had confessed to police and said the coup attempt had failed because reinforcements had not arrived in time.

But upon his arrest, Zuniga publicly stated that he had been ordered to carry out the coup at Arce's direction to boost the president's popularity, a claim Prada denied.