LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Less than six months ago, the inauguration of centrist President Rodrigo Paz seemed to usher in a new reality for Bolivians reeling from the worst economic crisis in a generation and fed up with two decades of almost uninterrupted socialist leadership.
Long lines at gas stations vanished as pro-business Paz secured fuel imports. Bolivia’s chronically depreciating currency surged on the black market as stock markets swooned over his plan to shrink the budget deficit. After years of diplomatic isolation, Bolivians took pride in the dozens of international delegations that celebrated Paz’s swearing-in as he repaired strained relations with the United States and regional powers.
