Iran’s President Voices Support for New Bolivian Government

In a Saturday message to the Bolivian president-elect, Rouhani voiced support for the elected government of Luis Arce.

He also expressed Tehran’s readiness to restore bilateral relations and expand cooperation with Bolivia.

“I sincerely congratulate you on the successful holding of the Bolivian general elections and on your success in this election,” Rouhani said.

“The recent election, which resulted in the decisive victory of Your Excellency and Mr. David Choquehuanca as Vice President, was not only a strengthening of the foundations of democracy, but also a glorious demonstration of the administration of justice by the great nation of Bolivia,” he added, according to the government’s official website.

“In the new era of the return of power to the people's representatives, I express support for the Your Excellency’s elected government, and express the readiness of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to revive bilateral relations and expand cooperation with the friendly country of Bolivia in all fields,” the Iranian president added.

Rouhani finally wished health and success for Arce, and prosperity and felicity for the Bolivian people.

The Organization of American States (OAS) on Wednesday declared Bolivia’s presidential election transparent and Luis Arce’s incoming government legitimate.

Arce, who hails from the Movement for Socialism (MAS) Party, bagged more than 50% of the votes.

Arce was running against former centrist president Carlos Mesa, who gained second place with some 31.5% of the votes.

Arce is considered the heir to former leader Evo Morales.

Last year, Morales was ousted from power amid protests against his fourth-term presidential victory. He was forced to resign in November 2019 under pressure from the military and following the opposition’s challenging of the victory that he had secured in the presidential election.