Bolivian President Luis Arce sworn in as socialists regain power: 'We have reclaimed democracy'

[sandensea]

Bolivia’s new president, Luis Arce, has vowed to rebuild his country’s battered economy, revive ties with leftwing neighbours and serve one term only, as he prepared to take office after October’s landslide election.

Speaking to the Guardian before his inauguration on Sunday, the UK-educated economist was cautious about characterising his victory as proof that Latin America’s leftwing “pink tide” of the early 2000s was bouncing back after a period of rightwing dominance.

Since 2018 the left has returned to power in Mexico and Argentina, while leftwing economist Andrés Arauz is well placed to win Ecuador’s presidential election in February.

But Arce’s win did represent a resurrection for the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, which some observers thought was doomed after its figurehead, Evo Morales, was driven abroad last November after what supporters call a US-backed coup.

Arce, 57, a former economy minister under leftist former President Evo Morales, inherits a dire economic situation - with GDP falling 11% this year and unemployment as high as 30% in sectors such as construction.

At: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/08/luis-arce-bolivia-president-elect-left-morales

Bolivian President Luis Arce and Vice President David Choquehuanca greet legislators and guests moments after their inaugural today.

His predecessor Jeanine Áñez, who proclaimed herself president during last November's violent coup, has earned plaudits for ultimately yielding to calls for elections.

Arce won the October 18 elections with 55% of the vote, nearly twice the 29% earned by centrist former President Carlos Mesa.

[lunasun]

1. That was scary AF for what almost a year?that RW lady took over with a bible in her hand, a coup.

I remember the photos sort of like trump at the church maybe that what where he got the idea.
I wonder what the US all provided for them to make that coup successful I know there is propaganda , $, CIA, but I imagine on the ground work too +maybe some of those fundie churches were involved in the coup work
I read reports here all through the takeover on du that gave good information 😻 and this is the first I am reading about the win, from you sandensea ❤️here again on du . I haven’t kept up but this inauguration is good news
and it doesn’t matter now about the US so much now that it is also changing power hopefully
Priorities will be get working on the bad economics that come with the win along with covid
Good Luck to Bolivia
55% that’s good
Serve one term -that was smart to promise after Morales

[sandensea]

2. Seeking a fourth term was indeed Morales' biggest mistake - I agree

As to what, exactly, happened during those frantic days in October and November of last year in Bolivia, we'll probably never know.

We know Princess Ivanka met with some the masterminds of the coup in nearby Jujuy, Argentina, on September 5th, 2019 - including Luis "Macho" Camacho, a far-right extremist very much in the vein of the Proud Boys here in the U.S.

It's safe to say they weren't sharing empanada recipes.

We also know Bolivian General Williams Kaliman - the one who ordered Morales to resign - was in the U.S. just three days before the coup (and was allegedly bribed with $1 million by the Pompeo Sate Dept. - though no evidence has surfaced of that).

It's also been reported in Argentine media that then-President Mauricio Macri helped broker the Ivanka-Camacho meeting, and knew exactly what would happen and when. Beyond that - what if any his role was, it's not known.

But all's well that ends well. Here's hoping Arce can get things done for his people, while keeping big business reasonably content.

Very important in Latin America, as you know.