The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, decided to replace the top military command of the country amid demands to maintain public order and democracy, while supporters of former president Evo Morales are completing 13 days of road blockades.
Air division general Gerardo Zabala was appointed as interim commander in chief of the Armed Forces, general José Wilson Sánchez took over as chief of staff, and general Eduardo Aguilar was named as the commander general of the Army. Meanwhile, general Juan Ballester was designated commander general of the Air Force and rear admiral Óscar Vaca Molina was sworn in as commander general of the Navy.
During the swearing-in ceremony of the new military leaders, held at the Casa Grande del Pueblo, President Arce, Vice President David Choquehuanca, and Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo were present. Arce highlighted the importance of state institutions working to ensure the security of the State and restore public order in the country.
Amid these actions, Arce expressed his concern about the presence of military weaponry in the road blockades led by Morales' supporters, which he believes endangers people's lives and public safety. The president emphasized the importance of protecting the national economy and ensuring free movement on the land communication routes to prevent damage to the country's productive apparatus.
Morales' supporters are demanding that the Arce government drop the legal proceedings against them, as well as solutions to issues such as rising food prices, shortages of dollars and fuel, and respect for Morales' announcement as the "sole candidate" for next year's elections. The Bolivian Foreign Ministry has denounced internationally that these protests seek to disrupt democratic order and affect stability in the South American region.
Furthermore, Arce praised the role played by the previous military high command in defending democracy after an attempted coup in June. He tasked the new military leadership with consolidating trust with the population, guarding the borders, combating smuggling, and developing a recovery plan in response to the wildfires that devastated extensive areas of forests and grasslands.
In his turn, general Zabala, the new commander in chief of the Armed Forces, committed to exercising his duties with loyalty, patriotism, and sacrifice, urging his colleagues to act in full adherence to constitutional order.
