Morales in 2008 expelled the U.S. ambassador and officials of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
LA PAZ:
Bolivia’s new center-right president-elect said Monday he would seek to restore diplomatic ties with the United States, severed nearly two decades ago under former left-wing leader Evo Morales.
“In the specific case of the United States… these relations will resume,” economist-turned-senator Rodrigo Paz, 58, told reporters after his victory in the second round of elections on Sunday.
He beat another right-wing rival after first-round voters in August dealt a critical blow to the socialist MAS party created by Morales and blamed by many for the South American country’s myriad economic woes.
Paz is expected to take office on November 8.
Under Morales, in power from 2006 to 2019, Bolivia took a leftward turn by nationalizing its energy resources, severing ties with Washington and entering into alliances with China, Russia and other leftists in Cuba, Venezuela and elsewhere in Latin America.
Morales expelled the US ambassador and officials of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2008, accusing them of interference in Bolivian affairs. USAID officials followed in 2013.
Washington expelled Bolivia’s ambassador in retaliation, and the envoys were never replaced.
