Families of 21 people detained on coup charges in Bolivia plead for amnesty, say family members have been ‘betrayed’

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — As warnings of death soon followed, Jimena Silva’s husband was detained on charges that he took part in a failed coup in Bolivia.

“They call us, they say if we do anything, say anything, they will make us disappear. They not only threaten us, but also our children,” Silva said. “They are anonymous calls and they say they will kill our children.”

Now, Silva, a mother of three, sat crying at the prison door with her mother and brother, paying attention to any news of her husband, Luis Domingo Balanza.

Balanza, a military chief of staff for more than 15 years, was one of 21 people arrested by a convoy of military and armored vehicles in what the federal government called a “failed coup”.

The families, visibly shocked and worried at the jail where their loved ones were being held on Friday, said they had no knowledge of any foul play before Wednesday’s drama. Many families of those detained said that their family members were merely “following orders” or reported that they were carrying out “military exercises”.

On Friday, the federal government announced additional arrests of foot soldiers, bringing the total to 21 soldiers, including the former general. Juan Jose ZunigaWho led the failed coup.

Images from Bolivia shocked the world on Wednesday as an armored car plowed into the government palace in Los Angeles Paz, the country’s presidential palace, and military officers fled, with President Luis Arce saying his government is not supporting him in the upcoming crisis. . ,

Overall, who was dismissed by Arce amid the chaos, claimed that he stormed a government office to score political points in Arce’s favor during a week of deep economic unrest in Bolivia, leading to the death of several people. A situation of indecision arose.

Zuniga’s attorney, Steven Orellana, advised the associated press that prosecutors were discussing charging Zuniga with the crimes of terrorism and instigating an armed insurrection. He said he could not provide additional details on the case.

Bolivia’s ambassador to the Group of American States said Thursday that about 200 military officers took part in the coup attempt.

“These people gave the order to destroy Bolivia’s heritage,” senior cabinet member Eduardo del Castillo told a news conference.

Del Castillo was echoed by scores of protesters marching outside the prison and other government buildings on Friday with signs reading, “Zuniga, traitor, coup leader, respect the state.”

Inside, crying families told another story.

Silva and his mother, Daniela, said their community was left economically “devastated” without a source of income to support their three children. Abadi was among those who said their father was merely following orders, asking them to move out of the way on the Internet and head toward the plaza outside the government palace. Silva told that her husband will die soon.

“How will we feed our family,” said Daniela, who asked not to be identified by her last name because of the warnings. “I can’t imagine what the future might hold for someone who has been framed, for someone who has been treated like this.”

He further added, “My son is not a villain… he is just a subordinate. He protected his legacy and they took advantage of him.”

Families and lawyers of defendants interviewed by the AP could share some information about the circumstances and criminal arguments of their population participants as they were in the wake of criminal complaints, but most said they had not heard from those detained. Asked for “justice”.

Others, such as Nubia Barberi, noted that her husband, Colonel Raul Barberi Muiba, was once urged by Zuniga to do “military exercises”. Upon entering the square, Barbieri said he walked by Zuniga saying he felt “betrayed”, sometimes calling him.

The families’ claims add a residual layer of lack of certainty to the doubts already cast by Zuniga on Wednesday evening regarding the veracity of the coup.

Upon his immediate arrest, he alleged without presenting evidence that Arce ordered him to rebel, leading the political opposition to label the case a “self-coup”.

Zuniga claimed that the acquisition was meant to boost Arce’s once flagging reputation as it struggled for dominance. spiral economic system, deepening political divisions and intense community discontent. Arce vehemently denied the allegations on Thursday.

Embattled presidents are competing Former President Evo Morales is at loggerheads over who will be his party’s candidate in next year’s presidential election.

The escalating political feud has left Bolivians dissatisfied and bewildered about what really happened during those three chaotic hours on Wednesday when armored vehicles rolled into downtown Los Angeles, Paz and Arce confronted the rebels face-to-face and drove them back. Ordered to move away.

Whether or not Zuniga’s allegations about Arce are true – or whether the disgruntled general merely tried to exploit Bolivia’s growing crises for his own personal gain – remains non-transparent.

However, many people, like Cintia Ramos, were angered by Wednesday’s chaos.

Cintia Ramos, 31, one of the most prominent protesters in prison, said, “Zuniga will suffer the greatest punishment possible for attacking the Bolivian people.”

Families will likely say their relatives are innocent, though Ramos said, “This couldn’t have been done by just one person. This person had associates, high-level associates. …They should also get the highest punishment.

Police would be marching Zuniga through the jail Friday morning in handcuffs.

Some time ago, his wife, Graciela Arzasibbia, had her heart broken while waiting for him to come out of the police station. Holding a small bag of snacks, she expressed concern for her 6-year-old son, who, she said, believed his jailed father was only away at work.

“I’m asking that they consider families,” she advised the AP. “We didn’t do anything.”