Bolivia's History Of Coup D'etats: A Count

Bolivia has experienced over 190 coups and coup attempts since gaining independence in 1825—more than any other country since 1950. The country's long history of political upheaval has been characterised by frequent dictatorships, military juntas, and democratic periods. The most recent coup attempt occurred in 2024 when General Juan José Zúñiga attempted to overthrow President Luis Arce.

Bolivia has had over 190 coups since 1825

Bolivia has experienced over 190 coups or revolutions since declaring independence in 1825. The country has witnessed the highest number of coups in the world since 1950. The first coup in Bolivian history, which took place on 18 April 1828, resulted in the deposition of President Antonio José de Sucre. It was orchestrated by Casimiro Olañeta and promoted by Peruvian General Agustín Gamarra, who invaded and occupied large portions of Bolivia following the mutiny.

The early years of Bolivian independence were marked by political chaos and the frequent overthrow of military leaders, with brief periods of democracy interspersed. From 1839 to 1879, various military figures seized power through coups, including Sebastián Ágreda, José Ballivián, Eusebio Guilarte, Manuel Isidoro Belzu, Jorge Córdova, José María Linares, Mariano Melgarejo, Agustín Morales, Hilarión Daza, and Narciso Campero.

The Conservative Era, which began in 1879, ended with the Bolivian Civil War, also known as the Federal War. This led to a period of rule by the Liberals under José Manuel Pando. The Liberal Era was the longest period of uninterrupted single-party rule in Bolivian history. It ended in 1920 when President José Gutiérrez Guerra was deposed by the Socialist Republican Party of Bautista Saavedra.

Bolivia experienced several coups between 1930 and 1946, sparked by instability following its loss to Paraguay in the Chaco War. During this time, young reformist veterans challenged the traditional oligarchic parties. Notable coups during this period include the overthrow of President Hernando Siles Reyes by General Carlos Blanco Galindo, and the deposition of President Daniel Salamanca by Germán Busch, who acted under the direction of Colonel David Toro and General Enrique Peñaranda.

The Sexenio, a six-year period from 1946 to 1952, witnessed a brief return to power by conservative forces. However, the left-wing ultimately regained control, leading to a period of democratic elections won by the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (MNR). Despite this democratic period, Bolivia continued to experience coup attempts, including a failed right-wing coup in 1965.

Between 1966 and 1980, Bolivia endured a series of dictatorships established through multiple coups. Notable coups during this time include the overthrow of Vice President Luis Adolfo Siles Salinas by General Alfredo Ovando, and the coup led by the army, air force, and navy chiefs that deposed Ovando for a brief period before he regained power. Hugo Banzer's coup in 1971 established a dictatorship that lasted most of the 1970s.

Bolivia's most recent attempted coup occurred in 2024 when General Juan José Zúñiga attempted to overthrow President Luis Arce. This event highlighted the continued presence of the military in Latin American politics and the region's shift away from the coups that were once commonplace.

The first coup in 1828 saw the deposition of President Antonio José de Sucre

Bolivia has experienced over 190 coups and revolutions since declaring independence in 1825, the most of any country since 1950. The first coup in 1828 saw the deposition of President Antonio José de Sucre.

On 18 April 1828, an uprising by the military garrison in Chuquisaca, orchestrated by Casimiro Olañeta and promoted by Peruvian General Agustín Gamarra, resulted in the removal of President Antonio José de Sucre. The mutiny was sparked by the Colombian soldiers of the Voltígeros battalion, who rose up in the La Guardia barracks. The mutineers fired upon Sucre, wounding him in the arm. Command was then delegated to José María Pérez de Urdininea, who served as interim president until Sucre officially resigned on 2 August 1828.

In the following years, General Gamarra would invade Bolivia, occupying large portions of the country. This invasion was an intervention in an internal conflict in Bolivia, aiming to force the departure of Colombian troops and the resignation of Sucre. The intervention escalated tensions, culminating in the Gran Colombia–Peru War.

The first coup and the subsequent invasion by Gamarra endangered Bolivia's autonomy just three years after it gained independence. The country has since experienced a long history of coups and political instability, with over 190 such events in total.

The most recent coup attempt was in 2024

Bolivia has experienced over 190 coups and revolutions since gaining independence in 1825—the most of any country since 1950. The most recent coup attempt was in 2024, when General Juan José Zúñiga attempted to overthrow President Luis Arce. Zúñiga led troops and tanks to the Plaza Murillo and surrounded the presidential palace. However, the coup attempt lasted only a few hours, and Zúñiga ultimately surrendered and was arrested.

In the lead-up to the coup attempt, Bolivia faced months of political infighting and economic tension. The country was also facing a forthcoming presidential election, scheduled for the following year, which would pit President Arce against former President Evo Morales.

Following the coup attempt, Evo Morales accused President Arce of staging the coup to boost his popularity. Before his arrest, General Zúñiga himself alleged that Arce was working with the military to organise the coup. Arce denied these allegations.

The coup attempt highlighted a shift in the military's role in Latin America, as armies have been taking on an increasing number of civic functions in recent years, such as fighting organised crime and responding to natural disasters. While experts believe it is unlikely that the military will seize power in Latin America, there are concerns about the "creeping militarization of politics" in the region.

The 1970s saw a succession of coups and dictatorships

Bolivia has experienced over 190 coups and revolutions since declaring independence in 1825, the most of any country since 1950. The 1970s were particularly tumultuous, with a succession of coups and dictatorships.

General René Barrientos Ortuño, who had been in power since 1964, died in a helicopter crash in 1969. This led to a coup in September 1969 by General Alfredo Ovando, marking the start of a period of instability that would last until 1982. Ovando was overthrown in October 1970 by General Juan José Torres, who himself was overthrown in August 1971 by Hugo Banzer. Banzer ruled for most of the 1970s with the support of the Nationalist Revolutionary Movement.

Banzer initially governed with civilians, but following a military revolt against him in 1974, he banned all political activity and ruled solely with military support. His regime was marked by political stability and economic growth, but also repression and human rights abuses. He called for elections in 1978, which resulted in a period of turmoil, with nine civilian and military presidents in just four years.

The return to democracy in 1982 marked the end of this period of instability, but it was short-lived. Bolivia experienced further coups in 1984 and 2024, demonstrating the country's long history of political upheaval.

The 2024 coup attempt lasted just three hours

Bolivia has experienced over 190 coups and attempted revolutions since gaining independence in 1825—the most of any country since 1950. The most recent of these coup attempts took place on 26 June 2024 and lasted just three hours.

On this day, General Juan José Zúñiga led troops and tanks to storm the Plaza Murillo in front of the presidential palace in La Paz. The soldiers marched into the plaza, and armoured vehicles rammed the palace doors. However, the coup attempt ended with the arrest of General Zúñiga, who had been fired by Bolivian President Luis Arce the day before.

During the standoff, Arce faced down General Zúñiga in a hallway, telling him, "I am your captain and I order you to withdraw your soldiers." Zúñiga ultimately backed down and was dismissed. He was arrested shortly afterwards.

The coup attempt came after months of political infighting and tension in Bolivia. The country was facing economic troubles, and a presidential vote scheduled for the following year was pitting the sitting president against a member of his own party, former President Evo Morales.

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