He asked former president Evo Morales not to join those who deny the coup d'état, a matrix that serves disunity and imperialist interference.

The President of Bolivia, Luis Arce, stressed this Sunday that what happened in that country last June 26 was a failed coup d'état and asked former President Evo Morales not to replicate the narrative of fascism, which not only denies it but insists that it was a self-coup planned by the Government.

He asserted that "those responsible who sought to seize power by force are being prosecuted and will be tried, as was the case of the coup plotters of 2019", he said in relation to the coup of November of that year, when military and police commanders forced Morales to resign under a false matrix of electoral fraud mounted by the local oligarchy in complicity with the U.S. and the Organization of American States (OAS), some of those responsible were arrested and subjected to criminal proceedings.

This morning, during statements made to a local radio station, Evo Morales, who had vehemently condemned the failed coup d'état, admitted that he is confused about the coup d'état. In spite of this, he blamed Arce of having committed a self-coup.

He expressed that "initially until Wednesday (26th) night, even on Thursday (27th) morning, I thought it was a coup (of State), but now I am confused, it looks like a self-coup".

In that space he commented that he suspects that it was an action planned by the head of state. Through his networks, he pointed out that "Arce deceived and lied to the Bolivian people and the world".

After his criteria, the Minister of the Presidency, María Nela Prada, offered statements to the media and said that Evo Morales ended up joining the story of the coup general Juan José Zúñiga and the fascist right wing of denying the gorilazo.

"Do not be mistaken with history and the people by joining today the discourse and statements of a coup plotter and the fascist right that once again, as at the time he pointed out that there was fraud (and not coup in 2019), pretends to distort history. Do not join in being a puppet, marionette and an instrument of imperialism that intends to plunder in our country." Prada added that the political opposition is also part of that narrative.

He stressed that unlike the 2019 coup, on June 26 Bolivia faced a displacement of armed military that tried to seize power in a planned manner, even with the participation of elite groups.

Although investigations into the failed coup d'état began a few days ago, 21 military officers and civilians implicated have been arrested and have revealed that their organization began last May. One of the high ranking officers involved, former Air Force commander General Marcelo Zegarra, declared in a prosecutor's statement that Zúñiga assured that he had the support of the "American Embassy, the Libyan Embassy and the European Community".

The differences of opinion between Arce and Morales go back months. In an interview given after the coup d'état was neutralized thanks to the firmness of the people and his government, Arce said: "We believe that the political instrument, the MAS (Movement Towards Socialism), belongs to the social organizations; they are the owners, the ones who created the instrument. Therefore, they are the ones who have to decide who are their candidates for deputies, senators, mayors, president, vice-president. On the other hand, comrade Evo wants to be the owner of the political instrument. That is where we are divided".

He added: "They are afraid that we will reposition ourselves and that is why we have an economic boycott in the Legislative Assembly, which everybody knows (...) Economic laws, of credits that have to be approved by the Assembly. Absolutely nothing advances, there is a clear boycott by the opposition and when I speak of opposition I also refer to the pro-evolution wing".

Organization of American States Secretary General Luis Almagro showed solidarity with Arce’s government while condemning the Bolivian Army's actions. Bolivian Senator Virginia Velasco Condori, who served as minister of justice under Morales, spoke to reporters outside the Bolivian Legislative Assembly claiming that Morales was behind the coup attempt.[10]

Heads of states of Ibero-America such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela condemned the coup attempt, as did the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Josep Borrell and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

President of Argentina Javier Milei was said to be "waiting for the situation to be clarified" before giving an official statement. The United States called for calm and restraint, with a White House spokesperson saying that the Biden administration was monitoring developments.

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Left: President Arce called for "democracy to be respected" in a public statement. Morales made a public statement denouncing military movement in the Murillo square outside the capital palace. He accused military general Juan José Zúñiga, of attempting a coup through intimidating citizens and violating democracy, and recommended that roadways be blocked while announcing a general strike.

The country's largest labor union condemned the coup and declared an indefinite strike in La Paz to defend the government.

Former President Evo Morales also supported the Goverment of Arce.

Right: Imprisoned former president Jeanine Anez also condemned the coup.

Imprisoned far-right politician, Luis Fernando Camacho, condemned the coup.

Former President, Carlos Mesa and his party condemned the coup. During his speech, General Zuniga denounced Evo Morales, Luis Arce and Carlos Mesa.

Lula tells Chomsky he wants to bring together world democratic leaders. The meeting, which lasted around 40 minutes, was marked by demonstrations of respect and admiration.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) met linguist Noam Chomsky on Monday (24) in São Paulo, in a meeting that lasted around 40 minutes. During the visit, the two held hands and treated each other with admiration. Lula even joked about rubbing 95-year-old Chomsky's forehead and head. "You're older than me, but you have a lot more hair," said the president, who is 78.

"I came here to see my friend and to repay the visit you and Valeria paid me when I was in prison," said the president. "I'm glad you're doing so well, because you have a lot to give to improve humanity. Not a week goes by that Celso Amorim and I don't talk about you."

Chomsky suffered a stroke in June 2023, in the United States, and was brought to São Paulo, where he was admitted to the Beneficência Portuguesa Hospital. He was discharged last Tuesday (18).

During the meeting, Lula told Chomsky that he is organizing an international meeting of democratic leaders to discuss ways of confronting the advance of the global far right.

Lula also said he was confident that, when he leaves office, the country will be closer to the ideal of justice for which Chomsky works. "I always say to [Fernando] Haddad [Finance Minister], who is also a friend of yours, that we need to be patient, but without moving away from our purpose.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers' Party) visited former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso (Social Democrat Party of Brazil - PSDB) this Monday (24) at the latter's residence in São Paulo. The meeting lasted approximately half an hour.

In the early afternoon, Lula arrived at FHC's building by car and left without talking to the press. Before the President's visit, the PSDBist (Neoliberal/Liberal) also received former Finance Minister Pedro Malan and economists Gustavo Franco and Pérsio Arida - all involved in the creation of the Real Plan (Brazil's current currency), which turns 30 in 2024.

FHC, who was Lula's opponent in the 1994 and 1998 elections, declared his support for the PT candidate in the 2022 presidential election. At the time, FHC said he would vote for Lula because of "a history of fighting for democracy and social inclusion".

In São Paulo, the Chief Executive also met the American philosopher Noam Chomsky, 95, and the Brazilian writer Raduan Nassar, 88. Last Tuesday (18), Chomsky was discharged after a period of hospitalization at the Beneficência Portuguesa hospital.

As the meetings are of a personal nature, they are not on the president's official agenda. Lula is due to return to Brasília on Monday afternoon.