Ive spoken to relatives who live in Bolivia (I was concerned about them), who were very relaxed as the general view there is that it was what they call an 'auto golpe' (auto coup), organised and orchestrated by the government to garner international sympathy and support.

I also told of the time a former Bolivian president, in the sixties, shot himself (having been injected with anaesthetic), and claimed to have been attacked as he approached the presidential residence. The fact that the bullet had gone through his gluteus gave way to many jokes at the time... He too was desperate to boost his popularity.

In the case of yesterday's 'coup attempt', I tend to believe the sacked general's version..