You cite an inaccurate definition by cherry picking a

Posted on: March 29, 2019 at 13:13:48 CT

dictionary to support your belief. There are multiple forms of coups.



https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297a/Coup%2520d%2527esats%2520in%2520Africa%2520-The%2520Emergence,%2520Prevalence%2520and%2520Eradication.doc

There are three main types of coups: Presidential coup, palace coup and Putsch. A presidential coup can defined as the suspension of constitutional guarantees and closure of the executive, which rules by decree, and uses referenda and new legislative elections to ratify a regime with broader executive powers.” This occurs when a democratically elected president converts the regime into a dictatorship with the objective to expand and increase executive power. There have been two well known presidential coups in the 1990s: Peru and Guatemala. In the case of Peru, Alberto Fujimori comes to power in 1990 but fails to secure control over congress. Overtime relations between executive and congress deteriorate. In April 1992, two years after coming to power, President Fujimori closes congress, suspends the constitution, fires judges and declares an emergency rule. The Peruvian military offers Fujimori institutional support and the public rallies behind him. Congressional elections are later held in November 1992 and Fujimori is re-elected in 1995. In Guatemala, Jorge Serrano comes to power in 1990 and also fails to secure control over congress. Also, relations between executive and congress deteriorate with time. President Serrano uses discretionary spending power to build congressional support. When the bill backfires, Serrano closes congress, suspends the constitution, declares an emergency rule and immediately calls for new elections. Unfortunately, the constitutional court challenges the legality of Serrano’s actions and the electoral board, the military, civil society and international pressure rally against Serrano. An interim president is appointed and Serrano is exiled. There are numerous other recent cases of Presidential coups: Russia in 1993 when Boris Yeltsin expanded executive powers. Kazakhstan in 1994 when Nursultan Nazarbaev dissolved parliament and wrote a new constitution with expanded executive powers. Belarus in 1996 when Alexander Lukashenko changed the constitution. Philippines in 1973 when Ferdinand Marcos converted his elected government into a dictatorship.
Palace coups take place within political structures of existing regimes. It involves the plotting of rivals of the president within the ruling group. The objective of palace coups is the replacement of the president through constitutional action. Assassinations are also a key feature of palace coups and for success military support is often needed. Palace coups are characterized by deep conspiracy and secrecy, are usually bloodless with very little destruction and are quick and effective. A recent example of a palace coup is the assassination of President Laurent Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2001. Other examples of palace coups include the Nigerian coup in 1974 in which Generals Murtala Mohamed and Olusegun Obasanjo overthrew General Yakubu Gowon. Another palace coup in Nigeria occurred in 1994 when General Sani Abacha staged a coup to block the transition from military to civilian rule/democracy.
A putsch is a violent military uprising by a group within the military, but not within the ruling group. It involves a conspiracy for the seizure of key military targets and the subsequent seizure of state power. Examples of putsches include the Chilean coup in 1973, the Central African Republic coup in 2003 and the Cote d’Ivoire coup in 1999.

Edited by TigerMatt at 13:16:07 on 03/29/19