Evo Morales' Election as Bolivia's President Stengthens Progressive Political Movements Sweeping South America

Interview with Jeff Vogt, senior associate for rights and development, with the Washington Office on Latin America, conducted by Scott Harris

After years of political conflict, Bolivia joined a growing progressive wave sweeping South America when Evo Morales, an indigenous activist and advocate for the poor was elected president on Dec. 18. Morales, who as leader of the Movement Towards Socialism, led protests that forced two presidents from power over the past four years, will take office on Jan. 22. The nation's first indigenous president won with an unprecedented 54 percent of the vote in an election where turnout was an estimated 85 percent.

Bolivia's poor farmers and majority indigenous population enthusiastically supported Morales and his campaign promising to maximize state revenues from energy resources, fight for Indian rights and legalize some cultivation of the coca crop.

Morales' post-election visit with Fidel Castro in Cuba and his close relationship with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have underscored the Bush administration's frustration about the rise of another popular leftist leader opposed to Washington's economic policies. With Morales' election, 80 percent of South America's population now live under left or center-left governments. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Jeff Vogt , senior associate for rights and development with the Washington Office on Latin America, who assesses the historic election of Evo Morales and the many challenges he'll face.

Contact the Washington Office on Latin America by calling (202) 797-2171 or visit their website at www.WOLA.org

Related links:

The Democracy Center at www.democracyCTR.org

Council on Hemispheric Affairs at www.coha.org

North American Congress on Latin America at www.nacla.org

International Forum on Globalization at www.ifg.org

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