La Paz, Bolivia - June 30, 2024

Storyline:
The coup attempt in the Bolivian capital of La Paz on Wednesday involved external forces, and the government is conducting further investigations into the matter, according to Bolivian ministers.

On Wednesday, hundreds of soldiers led by General Juan Jose Zuniga marched on the Plaza Murillo square, the epicenter of Bolivia's political power, and forced their way into the old Government Palace, in a failed bid to oust President Luis Arce from office.

The incident happened just hours after a rumor circulated that Zuniga was being relieved of his position as commander of the Armed Forces in the country for having made controversial political statements against former president Evo Morales.

In an interview with China Media Group on Sunday, Maria Nela Prada Tejada, minister of the Bolivian presidency, said that for a long time, there has been presence of external forces in the turmoil in Latin America. The failed coup attempt is no exception.

Tejada said that Laura Richardson, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, still referred to Latin America as "the United States' own backyard" in her statement in 2023, to which Latin American countries including Bolivia strongly opposed.

Tejada said that the United States complains about other countries importing resources from Latin America, especially lithium from Bolivia, Argentina and Chile, as if this area is their property. Bolivia refuses other countries to interfere in its autonomy over natural resources within its sovereign framework, she said.

Bolivian Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo also said in an interview on Sunday that there is evidence that external forces were involved in the attempted coup and the government is stepping up its investigation.

Shotlist:
La Paz, Bolivia - June 30, 2024 :
1. Various of Presidential Palace, troops; people gathering at Plaza Murillo square;
La Paz, Bolivia - June 30, 2024
2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Maria Nela Prada Tejada, minister of Bolivian presidency (partially overlaid with shot 3):
"We are investigating into the case. As I mentioned in an interview with Bolivian TV that in previous coups in our country and in the region, as was the case with the Operation Condor, there were external interests involved. And the interests of certain interest groups or certain leaders in our country clearly encouraged the armed forces to collude with external interest groups to launch a coup. That is why it is very important for the international community to be vigilant about what is happening in Bolivia, a multi-ethnic country."
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
La Paz, Bolivia - June 26, 2024
3. Various of people at rally, buildings
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE];
FILE: Washington D.C., USA - May 12, 2020
4. White House, Lafayette Square;
FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown
5. Various of U.S. national flag, Capitol Building;
La Paz, Bolivia - June 30, 2024
6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Eduardo del Castillo, Minister of Interior of Bolivia:
"We have found at least five indicators that may indicate the involvement of foreign agents. Out of a responsible attitude, we will not release specific details until we finally confirm the involvement of foreign agents in this failed military coup.";
FILE: El Alto, Bolivia - 2017
7. Various of national flag of Bolivia, pedestrians, cityscape.

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