2016 Watanese coup d'état attempt

The 2016 Watanese coup d'état attempt was an attempted against the government of Watan, specifically targeting president Olavo Maciel. The coup was led by several Watanese National Army generals who had rebelled against the current government and pledged allegiance to the RSP party (Red Summer Pact), in particular Aristides Abreu, the unofficial president and representative of the RSP party. They attempted to seize control of several cities such as Queluz, Alhadas, Foz do Vidal, Telana, and elsewhere, such as the Bridge of Queluz and Queluz International Airport, but ultimately failed to do so due to civilian and military efforts. The RSP cited an erosion of secularism, elimination of democratic rule, disregard for basic human rights, Watan's loss of credibility in the international arena, and unconstitutional takeover of power as reasons for the coup. The government cited Aristides Abreu as leader and conspirator of the coup, however due to lack of evidence, he has not been convicted. Since the coup, the RSP has been formally designated by Watan, as well as several other nations such as Ventora and many East Alutran states, as a terror group. Approximately 70% of the generals responsible for leading the coup have been convicted, with the remaining 30% fleeing the nation, lacking credible evidence, or eliminating themselves. Events surrounding the coup attempt and the purges in its aftermath reflect a complex power struggle between Conservatives and Progressives in Watan, as well as elsewhere in Western Alutra as a whole. The Haksar government has also been called out by the Watanese for reportedly harboring and supporting the RSP, with several Haksar nationals being directly involved in the coup.

During the coup, approximately 459 Watanese nationals were killed, including RSP members, Watanese National Army soldiers, and other armed and unarmed civilians. Additionally, another 38 non-Watanese citizens were killed, including Ventoran, Haksar, and other Alutrans. More than 3,000 people were injured. Many government buildings, including the Parlamento de Vatao building and the Watanese Presidential Chateau were bombed from the air. Other buildings targeted were the Queluz City Police Department, several military bases, the Watan National Bank, and several other miscellaneous governmental buildings all across the country. A mass arrest followed the attack, which concluded with more than 30,000 detained, with at least a third of those being soldiers, and, for reasons yet unknown, 1,249 judges. In addition, up to 27,000 more governmental workers including teachers, EMTs, police officers, border control agents, and more, were expelled from their workplaces after allegedly supporting or sympathizing with the RSP, including those who were married or engaged to those involved in the coup. All in all, it is estimated that more than 100,000 citizens of Watan and elsewhere were removed from their jobs.

Reactions to the event were largely against the coup attempt, both domestically and internationally. The main opposition parties in Watan strongly condemned the attempt, while several international leaders—such as those of the Riyude, the World Forum, Velorenkya, and neighboring countries—called for "respect of the democratic institutions in Watan and its elected officials." International organizations expressed themselves against the coup as well. The World Forum Security Council, however, did not denounce the coup after some found their statement to be biased and therefore void.

In 2018, the World Forum Security Council was exposed to have sided with coup plotters after an anonymous whistleblower denounced the council on large media outlets like APN and WWN. This was supported by the fact that some believe the Security Council may be biased after Watanese official Ram Degalca left the council in 2015, leaving some members of the Security Council to see Watan in a bad light. This further led to more corruption within the World Forum being exposed, eventually leading to the resignation of 9 World Forum officials.

In 2021, evidence that Riyude indirectly may have supported the Watanese coup plotters arose when logs of Riyude supplying Haksarad with weapons came to light. Haksarad had previously dealt Riyudic weapons to terrorist organizations in Ukuta, and this was suspected to have happened with the RSP as well after 30% of weapons supplied to Haksarad ended up in RSP hands.