Bolivia’s leader says the general accused of leading failed coup wanted to ‘take over’ as president

Associated Press

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivian President Luis Arce says a former general intended to take over the government and become president in a failed coup, and he denies that the Andean nation is experiencing an economic crisis. In an interview with The Associated Press, the embattled leader denied once again that Wednesday’s attack on the government palace was a “self-coup” designed to garner him political points. Arce says: “I didn’t escape. I stayed to defend democracy.” Arce is also involved in political squabbling with his one-time ally, former President Evo Morales. Arce says that “we’ve been politically attacked” by Morales, and adding that the infighting has hamstrung the government in addressing economic problems.