End of Two Decades of Socialist Rule: Who Is Bolivia’s New President?
Bolivians went to the polls yesterday, Sunday, for the second round of the 2025 presidential election to choose their new president. Senator Rodrigo Paz secured victory with 54.5 percent of the votes cast, becoming Bolivia’s next president.
This result marks the end of nearly twenty years of leftist socialist governance amid an ongoing economic crisis in Bolivia. In his first remarks after the election results were announced, Paz stated that the country is “gradually regaining its place on the international stage.”
Media outlets supporting Paz reported that following the announcement, streets in La Paz filled with supporters celebrating with fireworks, cheers, and music.
Paz’s opponent in this election, Jorge Tuto quiroga, conceded defeat and said from a hotel in La Paz that he had contacted Rodrigo Paz to congratulate him.
Edmund Lara,vice president-elect,called for unity and reconciliation among Bolivians in media interviews after the results were confirmed.
paz’s economic plan focuses on reducing public expenditures-especially fuel subsidies-and opening up more opportunities for private enterprise. He advocates a model described as “capitalism for all,” based on decentralization and maintaining fiscal discipline before incurring any new debts.
The united States government under President Trump congratulated Paz on his victory. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement expressing readiness to cooperate with Bolivia on shared priorities.
Who is Rodrigo Paz?
Rodrigo Paz Pereira, born September 22, 1967, is a Bolivian politician and son of Carmen Perra Carballo, who served as Bolivia’s president in the early 1990s. He spent part of his childhood and adolescence in political exile due to his father’s activities during military dictatorships throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. He studied at American University in Washington D.C., earning a bachelor’s degree in International Relations with an emphasis on economics and a master’s degree in Political Management.
Paz has served as senator representing Tarija as 2020.Prior to that he was mayor of Tarija from 2015 to 2020 and chaired its municipal council from 2010 to 2015. Between 2005 and 2010 he was also Tarija’s sole representative in Bolivia’s Chamber of Deputies.
In August’s first electoral round held on August 17th this year, he led by roughly 32 percent but did not secure enough votes for outright victory until yesterday when he defeated Jorge Quiroga head-to-head.
