Sawt Falasteen - Bolivia's president-elect says will resume ties with US after nearly two decades

"In the specific case of the United States... that relationship will be resumed," economist-turned-senator Rodrigo Paz, 58, told reporters after emerging victorious in a run-off election Sunday.

He beat a fellow right-wing rival after voters in a first round in August delivered 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 set to take office on November 8.

Under Morales, in office from 2006 to 2019, Bolivia took a sharp turn to the left -- nationalizing energy resources, breaking ties with Washington and making alliances with China, Russia and fellow leftists in Cuba, Venezuela and elsewhere in Latin America.

Morales in 2008 expelled the US ambassador and officials of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), accusing them of interference in Bolivia's affairs. USAID officials followed in 2013.

Washington expelled Bolivia's ambassador in retaliation, and the envoys were never replaced.

In his victory speech Sunday night, Paz proclaimed Bolivia was "reclaiming its place on the international stage."

His victory was welcomed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said in a statement that Washington "stands ready to partner with Bolivia on shared priorities."

Rubio added that "after two decades of mismanagement, President-elect Paz's election marks a transformative opportunity for both nations."

X.Habash--SF-PST