Overview
- The 58-year-old Christian Democrat took the oath in La Paz after winning the October runoff with about 55% to Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga’s roughly 45%, according to the official result.
- Bolivia faces a severe crunch as foreign‑exchange reserves were drained to sustain fuel subsidies and annual inflation eased to 19% in October after peaking at 25% in July.
- Paz says he will pursue a tax reform aimed at reviving domestic industry.
- He has signaled an effort to restore diplomatic relations with the United States, which were cut under Evo Morales, after years of closer ties with Venezuela, China, Russia and Iran under Luis Arce.
- Supporters of Quiroga continue to allege electoral fraud, though the transition proceeded without blocking the inauguration.