Big Day in Bolivia

Twelve days ago, Bolivians turned their backs on twenty years of Marxist and socialist rule. They looked around at the ruins of their once vibrant, prosperous country and decided it was time to change.

They elected a centrist named Rodrigo Paz as president, whose slogan – Capitalism for All – gave them hope there would be better times ahead.

Bolivia needs to be the Switzerland of South America. It’s made for greatness. Time to begin. https://t.co/6NBasd44BO

— Monica Showalter (@mmshowalter1) October 21, 2025

Instead of the dark days of Bolivian presidents hobnobbing with the infamous Communistas of the continent…

Qué maravilla que Bolivia ya no pertenezca más a esta infame pose. pic.twitter.com/riQGr8sEaq

— Mauricio Ríos García (@riosmauricio) October 30, 2025

…Rodrigo Paz declared those scoundrels persona non grata.

He has said they wouldn’t even get a courtesy invite to the inauguration.

Bolivia’s 🇧🇴 new president, Rodrigo Paz, announces that he will NOT invite the dictatorships of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua to his presidential inauguration on November 8. pic.twitter.com/fkuWls2pBG

— BowTiedMara (@BowTiedMara) October 22, 2025

There was a significant shift in tone with the Paz election, though, and new friends were being warmly welcomed today, as a matter of fact.

Friends who hadn’t been to Bolivia in a long time. It’s really something.

🇺🇸🇧🇴 | CAMBIO DE ÉPOCA: El presidente electo Rodrigo Paz se reunió en Washington con el Secretario de Estado de Trump, Marco Rubio, marcando un giro radical de las relaciones diplomáticas de Bolivia, alineándose por primera vez en décadas con los Estados Unidos. pic.twitter.com/BJIHBzbOHn

— La Derecha Diario (@laderechadiario) October 31, 2025

President-elect Rodrigo Paz met in Washington with Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, marking a radical turn in Bolivia’s diplomatic relations, aligning for the first time in decades with the United States.

Dang. I love it.

…President-Elect Rodrigo Paz, from the Christian Democratic Party, also appeared to embrace a freer economy during his campaign, with the slogan “capitalism for all.” But his distancing from other candidates’ plans to use International Monetary Fund loans to rescue the country by selling its lithium reserves positioned him as the moderate, centrist candidate. 

Journalist Joseph Bouchard was on the ground in Bolivia for the country’s first round of elections and predicted that moderate rhetoric would ultimately prevail. “Narratives of coalition-building versus right-wing zeal, and of who can restore order through pragmatic, human-centric solutions, will define the race,” he told me in August. “So far, Paz is winning that contest, being perceived as the more flexible, competent, and fresh option to Tuto’s ideological, pro-US, pro-austerity, cold-and-tough approach.”

“Tuto” Quiroga did not shy away from this ideological approach. “If people tell you that’s right-wing or libertarian, let them say what they want,” he told the Associated Press.

Duran also believes a wave of liberalism is sweeping through the region. “There is a Milei phenomenon, which is going on all around the region here in Latin America…Many people have been asking for free markets [and] capitalism.” 

Voters also embraced rhetoric styled after Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. His “mano dura” style crime crackdown has become popular throughout Latin America. Although Bolivia has a lower murder rate than many of its neighbors, voters sought an antidote to the chaos egged on by former President Evo Morales.

No longer will Bolivia be another sad, failing, socialist hermit kingdom.

…”We must open Bolivia to the world,” said Paz during his victory speech from La Paz, after Quiroga conceded defeat.

…In late September, Paz unveiled plans for a $1.5 billion economic cooperation deal with U.S. officials to ensure fuel supplies.

Today’s visit was the beginning of forging those deeper ties.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Bolivia’s President-Elect Rodrigo Paz Pereira to underscore the United States’ commitment to a strong partnership with Bolivia rooted in mutual prosperity. They discussed measures to broaden and deepen the U.S.-Bolivia relationship for the benefit of the citizens of both nations.

🇺🇸🇧🇴 | El presidente Rodrigo Paz junto al Secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio.

Comienza una NUEVA ERA en Bolivia. pic.twitter.com/Al943bm99V

— Agustín Antonetti (@agusantonetti) October 31, 2025

 President Rodrigo Paz alongside the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

A NEW ERA begins in Bolivia

It’s a good, solid start, and it doesn’t hurt that Marco looks like he finally got some sleep.

Not a bad way to end the week.

Happy Halloween, you all!

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