One Flew Over the Faux Coup’s Next

Bolivia is one happening country. Since breaking free from Spain in 1825, this nation of 12.5 mn has clocked up around 190 coups, military dictatorships and revolutions. Last week, though, it nearly pulled off something that left even its coup-savvy citizens gobsmacked: a faux coup (not to be confused with the similarly pronounced ‘feku’). The South American country is facing several crises: political, economic, social and environmental, but above all institutional, with President Luis Arce, a banker and an economist, facing the heat. Last week, capital La Paz’s tense peace was broken when armoured vehicles moved in, and a small tank rammed the gates of the presidential palace. Troops forced their way in, led by ‘disgruntled’ former army chief Juan Jose Zuniga. But, alas, this drama did not last long. Arce, in true filmi style, stood there, clasping a ceremonial baton, telling Zuniga, ‘I am your captain… withdraw all of your troops right now, general.’

With Bolivia’s coup-filled history, you’d think Zuniga would put up a good counter. Nope. He retreated faster than a cat from a bath, later claiming, without evidence, that Arce had orchestrated the sham coup to boost his sagging popularity. The story is still unfolding, but if true, Arce has taken playing victim to a whole new level, outdoing many global netas with a natural flair for drama.