17 people have been arrested after yesterday's failed coup attempt in Bolivia. At the same time, many Bolivians gathered outside the presidential palace to show their support for the president.
Among those arrested are both active and former military personnel as well as civilians, according to Bolivia's Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo at a press conference on Thursday.
One of the arrested civilians is being pointed out as the mastermind behind the coup attempt. The identified coup leader and military chief Juan José Zúñiga has also been arrested.
President Luis Arce condemned on Thursday the now ousted Zúñiga's coup attempt and supporters of the president gathered outside the police station where Zúñiga is being held, demanding that he be imprisoned.
What he did is a shame. We are a democracy, said one of the demonstrators.
Bolivians also gathered outside the presidential palace in La Paz to show their support for President Arce by chanting pro-democratic slogans.
The fact that the pressured president receives support from the people is described by analysts as "a much-needed pause". He is struggling with the country's economic development, and is also being challenged by his former party colleague Evo Morales for the presidency in the upcoming election.
It was on Wednesday that soldiers and military vehicles rammed the doors of Bolivia's government palace in what is described as a failed coup attempt. Only three hours later, the coup was over.
