Bolivian general arrested after apparent failed coup attempt

Government minister Eduardo del Castillo said former navy Vice Admiral Juan Arnez Salvador was taken into custody

Bolivian police hold the detained Juan Jose Zuniga (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

A senior Bolivian general has been arrested after armoured vehicles rammed the doors of the government palace in what the president called a coup attempt.

Forces led by army chief General Juan Jose Zuniga seemed to take control of the government of President Luis Arce as they vowed to “restore democracy”, but he pledged to stand firm and named a new army commander who immediately ordered the troops to stand down.