The Presidential Elections in Bolivia

President Evo Morales is expected to win another five year presidential term in Bolivia today.

Morales has inspired the indigenous people all over the country but especially in the Chappare Region of Eastern Bolivia, where it is said he voted early this morning and where the indigenous "cocaleros" are prevalent. Morales is a former cocalero and the first native Bolivian to be elected president in the country's history; thus, the Aymara and Quechua people feel this is their opportunity to have a voice.

How does one argue with that? Still there are many complaints of a Morales crackdown on the opposition, unjust imprisonment of those who are vocally non-supportive and spending state funds to campaign.

It will be interesting to see how relations with the U. S. proceed after months of strain and Morales' history of anti-American rhetoric. What about the joint eradication program which ended when Morales accused the DEA of spying on him? Will he allow a new U. S. ambassador to be appointed to the Embassy in LaPaz? Will the U. S. at least give Morales credit for the growth of Bolivia's economy?

I've been following the Democracy Center's live blog as well as updates from the Carter Center which is monotoring the elections across the country and I await the results of the vote which should be decisive sometime tomorrow.