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Rodrigo Paz Is Sworn In as Bolivia’s President, Opening a Post-MAS Era

He signals a pivot toward international reengagement with market-friendly reforms.

Overview

  • Paz took the oath in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly in La Paz, ending nearly 20 years of MAS control and inaugurating a new five-year term.
  • Leaders from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay attended alongside U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and European representatives.
  • In his address, Paz pledged to "open the country to the world," pursue a "capitalism for all" program and restore cooperation with international security agencies including the DEA.
  • He inherits a severe crunch with fuel and dollar shortages, a 2.4% GDP drop in the first half of the year and inflation around 18% as of September.
  • The new government announced an initial agreement for about US$3.1 billion from CAF, and Paz starts without a legislative majority as MAS expels outgoing president Luis Arce and calls for investigations.