President Donald Trump may have a new conservative ally in South America amid the administration’s public fight with two socialist narco states over the flow of drugs to the U.S.
Rodrigo Paz of the center-right Christian Democratic Party (PDC) was elected Bolivia’s first conservative president after nearly 20 years of socialist rule, paving the way for more open relations with the U.S., the Associated Press reported Monday. Amid a U.S. pressure campaign against socialist narco states like Colombia and Venezuela designed to stem the flow of narcotics onto U.S. shores, the win represents a potential new ally for Trump in the volatile region.
“The message from Mr. Trump’s administration itself is a very clear and open signal,” Paz said at a news conference after his win, according to the AP. “We will have a fluid relationship and commitments to cooperation and joint work between both nations.”
Paz held a call with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado after his election victory, voicing his support for Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro’s biggest rival, according to the AP. The previous leftist governments of the nation have historically sided with Maduro.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for newly warm relations with Bolivia, saying in the run-up to the election that the nation faced a “transformative opportunity.” Bolivia’s runaway inflation and depleting natural gas reserves were key issues that propelled Paz to his victory.
Paz has already begun negotiations with the Trump administration, currently focusing on securing fuel imports to the nation, according to the AP.
Trump announced Sunday in a Truth Social post that he would halt foreign aid to Colombia if President Gustavo Petro didn’t curtail cocaine flow to the U.S. Additionally, Trump has applied considerable pressure to Venezuela’s Maduro, reportedly authorizing covert operations in the nation while continuing to strike narco vessels off the nation’s coast.
“After two decades of mismanagement, President-elect Paz’s election marks a transformative opportunity for both nations,” Rubio said in a statement Sunday. “The United States stands ready to partner with Bolivia on shared priorities, including ending illegal immigration, improved market access for bilateral investment, and combating transnational criminal organizations to strengthen regional security.”
The State Department did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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