self-coupnoun.
The sudden overthrow of a government by the current leader of the country in an attempt to gain more power.
Example Citation:
"President Hugo Chavez, accused by the opposition of harboring intentions of orchestrating a 'self-coup' and dissolving Congress and the Supreme Court, denied the charge."
—Jose Zambrano, "Politics-Venezuela: 'There Will Be No Violence Here,' Says Chavez," Inter Press Service, April 14, 1999
