The Bolivian military stormed the country’s presidential palace on Wednesday in what could potentially be a coup attempt, according to multiple reports.

Swarms of soldiers took over the capital’s main square as civilians fled the scene, according to Bloomberg and video footage of the incident. An armored truck rammed directly into the palace and soldiers appeared to break inside.

 

 

 

Bolivian President Luis Arce previously warned Wednesday that military forces were conducting “irregular” movements at the capital, according to The Associated Press. Presidential Minister María Nela Prada said Wednesday that the military was seizing control of the capital and attempting a coup, noting that people were “on alert to defend democracy.

 

Juan José Zúñiga, the general of Bolivia’s army, appeared to confirm that the military was breaking from the government’s protocol, according to the AP.

“The three chiefs of the armed forces have come to express our dismay. There will be a new cabinet of ministers, surely things will change, but our country cannot continue like this any longer,” Zúñiga said on local TV from the main square, per Reuters.