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Bolivia election: Leaders congratulate Morales on 'win' | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Left-wing Latin American leaders have congratulated Bolivian President Evo Morales, who has claimed victory and a third term in office after presidential elections held on Sunday. | |
The presidents of Argentina, Nicaragua, Uruguay and Venezuela expressed their good wishes to Mr Morales. | |
Exit polls show him on 60%, well ahead of his closest rival's 25% of the vote. | |
To avoid a run-off, he must win 50% of valid votes, or 40% if that includes a 10-point lead over his nearest rival. | |
'Carry on winning' | |
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said Mr Morales's lead in the exit polls was proof of "the vigour of the liberation process in the region". | |
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Uruguayan leader Jose Mujica both called Mr Morales to personally congratulate him. | |
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wrote a series of messages on his Twitter account (in Spanish) celebrating Mr Morales's lead. | |
"Evo, a great victory of the South American homeland, from Venezuela we send you a hug and congratulations, let's carry on winning!" he wrote. | |
Salvadorean President Salvador Sanchez Ceren tweeted that the election "strengthens democracy, Bolivia continues building hope for Latin America and the world". | |
'Anti-imperialist triumph' | |
President Morales told cheering supporters at the presidential palace in La Paz that "this win is a triumph for anti-imperialists and anti-colonialists". | |
He dedicated "this triumph" to the Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and Venezuela's late president, Hugo Chavez. | |
Mr Morales has overseen strong economic growth since taking office in 2006, using Bolivia's commodity wealth to reduce poverty levels. | |
But he has been criticised for failing to halt corruption. | But he has been criticised for failing to halt corruption. |
Analysis: Ignacio de los Reyes, BBC News | Analysis: Ignacio de los Reyes, BBC News |
Evo Morales became the first indigenous president in 2006 and is even more popular now, and not only among his Aymara ethnic group. | Evo Morales became the first indigenous president in 2006 and is even more popular now, and not only among his Aymara ethnic group. |
He won the trust of many thanks to Bolivia's good economic performance. Supermarkets, cinemas and restaurants are popping up everywhere. | He won the trust of many thanks to Bolivia's good economic performance. Supermarkets, cinemas and restaurants are popping up everywhere. |
The new cable car in La Paz is perhaps the best example of the changing times in Bolivia, which remains one of the poorest countries in the region. | The new cable car in La Paz is perhaps the best example of the changing times in Bolivia, which remains one of the poorest countries in the region. |
It connects La Paz with the satellite city of El Alto, home to thousands of migrants. There, a monument to Che Guevara sits next to a brand new shopping centre, surrounded by thousands of poorly built stalls selling counterfeit products. | It connects La Paz with the satellite city of El Alto, home to thousands of migrants. There, a monument to Che Guevara sits next to a brand new shopping centre, surrounded by thousands of poorly built stalls selling counterfeit products. |
Mr Morales's critics have accused him of using millions of dollars in government cash to fund his re-election campaign and say that this has helped create a fractured opposition. | |
They say he has also introduced measures which are harmful to the environment. | |
Heading into the elections, Mr Morales's closest rival was Samuel Doria Medina, who vowed to clean up the judiciary if elected. | |
Exit polls suggest he is trailing well behind Mr Morales, with 25% of the vote. | |
Mr Morales's party, the Movement Toward Socialism, is expected to make gains and win a strong majority in Congress. | |
If Mr Morales maintains his two-thirds control of the Senate and assembly, this could could allow him to alter the constitution to permit a fourth term in office. | |
He has already benefited from a court ruling that permitted him to run for a third term. | |