Some Bolivians remain anxious and are stocking up on essential goods despite the gradual return to normalcy in La Paz, following an attempted coup d'etat on Wedneday.
Early on Wednesday, troops commanded by General Juan Jose Zuniga, who had recently been dismissed from his command, gathered in Plaza Murillo, home to the presidential palace and Congress, as Xinhua News Agency reported.
Hours later, Zuniga was arrested in a coordinated operation led by Deputy Interior Minister Jhonny Aguilera, effectively thwarting the coup.
In the evening, Plaza Murillo, where the intense scene had unfolded, had returned to normal with social order being restored.
However, the upheaval has had a lasting impact on some citizens, prompting them to stock up essential items for any potential future disturbances.
Rosario Raya, a Bolivian resident, shared her concerns: "Our life is returning to normal, but we have gone through a terrifying conflict. Now we have to go to the market."
"Everything has returned to normal. Those people were crazy. Now everything is calm and normal," said Brasilia Machaca, a shop owner.
Anxious Bolivians stock up essentials after coup attempt
Anxious Bolivians stock up essentials after coup attempt
Anxious Bolivians stock up essentials after coup attempt
Anxious Bolivians stock up essentials after coup attempt
The 54th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) was held in Asuncion, Paraguay from Wednesday to Friday, with a focus on integration and security for the sustainable regional development.
Attending the assembly were representatives from OAS member states, 74 permanent observers and some civil society organizations.
Under the theme of "Integration and Security for the Sustainable Development of the Region," the delegations expressed their pleas for peace, democracy, equality and multilateral work among countries.
Hours before the opening ceremony in Asuncion, the situation in Bolivia, a neighboring country to Paraguay, was top on the agenda.
According to the Bolivian government, Gen. Juan Jose Zuniga on Wednesday led the attempted coup in Palacio Quemado, the government palace, which is located in Murillo Square in the city of La Paz, in a failed bid to oust President Luis Arce from office.
"We do have a very deep concern about the indigenous people in Bolivia, and hopefully this coup d'etat that didn't happen, that things go smoothly," said Clement Chartier, former president of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples.
The assembly also dedicated its statements to the improvement of democracy in Haiti and also to the promotion of human rights throughout the continent. A resolution was approved for continued efforts toward the immediate restoration of security, and the strengthening of humanitarian aid in Haiti.
Haiti has long suffered serious political and social crises, especially after then President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021. There are around 200 armed gangs in the country disturbing the social order. The rise of armed gangs, the surge of violence incidents and the increase of lynching cases have forced Haitians to live in humanitarian disasters in terms of safety, health care and food supplies.
54th OAS General Assembly held in Asuncion, with focus on regional security
54th OAS General Assembly held in Asuncion, with focus on regional security
