The United States Department of State released a statement in which nine countries from the region celebrate Rodrigo Paz Pereira's victory and the "end of two decades of poor economic management" in Bolivia, alluding to the prolonged dominance of socialism led by Evo Morales and MAS.
The text, signed by the governments of Argentina, the United States, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago, congratulates the president-elect and highlights the Bolivian people's decision to "embrace change and chart a new course", as a clear sign of political and economic support for the new stage opening in the country.
"We're prepared to support the incoming administration's efforts to stabilize Bolivia's economy and open it to the world," the statement says, which also promises cooperation on democracy, international investment, and regional security.
The declaration was interpreted as an unprecedented sign of political and economic support for the new Bolivian leader. From Washington, Buenos Aires, and San Salvador to Asunción and Quito, the region sent a clear message: the era of statism and isolation in Bolivia has come to an end.
