Rodrigo Paz Elected as Bolivia’s Next President
Rodrigo Paz has been chosen as Bolivia’s next president, marking a significant change after two decades of leftist governance in the country. Upon his victory, he expressed gratitude to God, acknowledging the role of faith in his achievement.
Paz, 58, shared his thanks during his election speech, emphasizing, “First of all, I want to thank our God for his energy, his faith, his strength, and his boldness.” He continued by stating, “He is a blessed God who also gives us the boldness to make decisions that impact our nation.” His statement highlighted his commitment to the nation, saying, “God, family, and homeland are the foundation of our vision for all of Bolivia.”
In his conclusion, he pledged to “work every minute God has given me to make a difference,” and closed with a heartfelt “God bless you.”
Paz, a senator from the Christian Democratic Party and the son of former President Jaime Paz Zamora, secured 32.1% of the votes in the initial round. His main opponent, Quiroga, had garnered the highest percentage in the first round with 26.8%, but as the final tallies came in, it was clear Paz clinched 54.96% of the votes in the runoff election.
In terms of legislative power, the Christian Democrats obtained 49 seats in the House of Representatives and 16 in the Senate. In contrast, the Libre Party captured 12 Senate seats and 39 House seats. Paz’s victory notably diminishes the influence of the current Socialist Movement, leaving them with only two seats in the lower house and none in the upper chamber.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized Paz’s election as “a historic moment for Bolivia.” He expressed hope for change following years of mismanagement, stating, “The election of President-elect Paz is an opportunity for change for both countries.” He also mentioned that the U.S. is prepared to collaborate with Bolivia on issues like illegal immigration and strengthening regional security.
Historically, relations between Bolivia and the United States have had their strains, especially since 2008 when Bolivia expelled the U.S. ambassador and other agencies. A recent U.S. State Department report noted ongoing challenges in Bolivia, such as anti-democratic actions and legal system politicization.
Paz, who holds a master’s degree from American University in Washington, D.C., aims to mend ties with Washington. At a recent press conference, he remarked that the message from the current U.S. administration is “very clear” and expressed his commitment to fostering a collaborative relationship between the two nations.
