President Morales effortlessly wins his third election in Bolivia
Evo Morales won Bolivia’s latest presidential race over the weekend, thus beginning his unprecedented third term as the South American nation’s leader. The victory was an easy one for President Morales due to the strength of the economic and political stability that has been brought by his administration.
President Morales, a native of Bolivia’s impoverished Andean plateau, received 60% of the nation’s votes against the 25% for Samuel Doria Medina, the most popular candidate among the four challengers who went up against President Morales, according to a quick count of 84% of the nation’s voting stations.
Standing on the balcony of a government building in one of the main public squares of La Paz, President Morales announced his victory to a crowd of Bolivians who began chanting his name, saying: “This victory is the victory of the anti-colonialists and the anti-imperialists.”
“I voted for Evo Morales because he doesn’t forget the elderly,” said Maria Virginia Velasquez, a 70-year-old widow. Universal old-age pensions are among the benefits Morales instituted that have boosted his popularity.
Known across the globe for his anti-imperialist and socialist rhetoric, the 55-year-old union leader for coca growers is immensely popular in his home country for his pragmatic economic stewardship that has distributed the wealth that has sprung forth from Bolivia’s natural gas and minerals among the masses.
Export revenue in Bolivia increased by 900% following a massive boom in commodities prices, allowing the nation to accumulate $15.5 billion in international reserves. Economic growth for Bolivia has averaged at around 5% annually, which is well above the regional average.
Under the leadership of President Morales, half a million people have broken out of poverty, with per capita gross national income up from $1,000 in 2006 to $2,550 in 2013. Public projects have sprouted like weeds, including a satellite which brings the internet to rural schools, a fertilizer plant, a new cable-car system in La Paz, and nuclear power.
Read more about the story at Reuters.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.
