Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva congratulated Bolivia’s President-elect Rodrigo Paz on Monday and promised him that the bilateral relationship will remain a “priority” for his government.
“The president-elect can count on my commitment to continue working in favor of our bilateral relations and cooperation on issues of mutual interest,” indicated the progressive leader on his social media.
Lula, a reference of the Latin American left, reported that he sent a letter to Paz, in which he congratulated him on his victory in the second round of the elections held on Sunday.
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Peace was imposed with 54.61% of the votes against 45.39% obtained by the right-wing former president Jorge Tuto Quiroga, according to the preliminary count of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, with 97.86% of the processed records.
Paz’s victory ended an era of two decades of left-wing governments in the Andean country.
Lula also highlighted that the electoral process in the neighboring country took place in an atmosphere of “tranquility and harmony”, which “demonstrates the commitment of Bolivian society to democracy”, a principle that in his opinion should “guide” the entire region.
“Bolivia is a fundamental partner of Brazil in the construction of a more integrated, just, and supportive South America,” pointed out the leader of the Workers’ Party (PT), a close ally of the outgoing ruler, Luis Arce, and who maintained a relationship of great affinity with former President Evo Morales.
Despite the ideological shift resulting from Sunday’s elections, Lula reiterated “the priority of the Brazilian Government in the relationship with Bolivia”, a country with which they share “an extensive border, but also a relationship of friendship and respect”.
Brazil and Bolivia are also partners in Mercosur, a bloc that includes Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Brazil is one of the founding members and Bolivia is in the final phase of its accession process.
