coup d'état

A sudden, illegitimate seizure of power from an existing government, usually through violent means. The phrase is French for "blow of state," and it is often shortened to simply "coup." The militia group launched a coordinated coup d'état, seizing the country's capital and killing or capturing all of its top political officials. The dictator has ruled the country mercilessly since his coup d'état in 1987. The coup d'état was followed by a complete societal breakdown.