Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator who was not widely known nationally before, emerged victorious in Bolivia’s recent presidential election, according to preliminary results. The election results indicated that Paz secured 54% of the votes, while Jorge (Tito) Quiroga, a former president during the early 2000s, garnered 45% of the votes.
In his victory speech on Sunday night, Paz, accompanied by his wife, María Helena Urquidi, and four adult children, assured supporters that his government would provide solutions for Bolivia’s challenges. This election marked the first time in years that two conservative, business-friendly candidates competed in a presidential runoff in Bolivia, as President Luis Arce, who had differences with former leader Evo Morales, opted not to run for another term under the MAS party.
Paz, along with his running mate, Edman Lara, a former police captain, gained support from working-class and rural voters disillusioned with MAS’s spending practices. The news of Paz’s win sparked celebrations across Bolivia, with supporters cheering, setting off fireworks, and honking car horns in the streets.
Despite being the son of former President Jaime Paz Zamora and having a political career spanning over two decades, Paz started this race as a relatively unknown figure. His choice of Lara as his running mate, a young ex-policeman known for denouncing corruption on social media, helped boost his popularity among voters.
Paz, who began his political journey in his father’s leftist party and later transitioned to a conservative stance, plans to implement pragmatic, business-friendly reforms as Bolivia faces significant economic challenges. His victory in six out of nine regional departments, including key areas of Indigenous Aymara and working-class Bolivians, signals a shift in the country’s political landscape.
Moving forward, Paz aims to address Bolivia’s economic woes by phasing out fuel subsidies, ending the fixed exchange rate, and reducing public investment while maintaining some social benefits. His victory was praised by the U.S., with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “transformative opportunity” for both nations.
