Bolivia, a country long defined by its political turbulence and resource-driven economy, finds itself at a pivotal crossroads in 2025. The collapse of the leftist Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party after dominating politics for nearly two decades has set the stage for an unprecedented presidential runoff, while the justice system begins to show signs of independence after years of perceived political manipulation.
On August 25, 2025, Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, Bolivia's right-wing ex-president, made headlines with his bold declaration: "I am here to change everything, dramatically and radically." Speaking to The Associated Press from his La Paz apartment, Quiroga, who previously served as vice president and briefly as president in 2001, outlined a sweeping vision for Bolivia's future. He vowed to overhaul the country's state-directed economy, moving toward a capitalist, market-based order and dismantling the pillars of resource nationalism erected by the MAS party.
Central to Quiroga's platform is a plan to transfer shares in Bolivia's mineral wealth—lithium, iron, and gas—from government control directly to individual citizens. As Quiroga put it, "It's about giving the people what belongs to them." The scheme, described as a "liberal ownership revolution," would entitle all Bolivian adults to stakes in the nation's vital industries, creating what amounts to a giant mutual fund for investment. Ramiro Cavero, head of Quiroga's economic team, emphasized that these shares would be distributed to individuals rather than companies, and while Bolivians could eventually sell their shares to foreign firms, such transactions would be restricted for several years.
This radical shift comes in response to the inefficiency and unprofitability of state-run companies in recent years. The MAS government, once celebrated for nationalizing key industries, has struggled to attract foreign investment and maintain economic stability. Quiroga's approach, while controversial, seeks to break from a legacy of resource nationalism that has shaped Bolivia's political and economic landscape since the early 2000s. Strife over whether to nationalize Bolivia's gas reserves even triggered bloody unrest in 2003, paving the way for Evo Morales's rise to power and subsequent nationalizations.
Quiroga's economic agenda doesn't stop at resource reform. He plans to secure a $12 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund and other multinational lenders as his first act in office. "That money is to save the financial system," Quiroga explained, arguing that the influx of cash would allow Bolivia to import badly needed fuel and alleviate crippling shortages. He promises to lure foreign investors by slashing corporate and sales taxes, offering guarantees of international arbitration, and replacing union-held land titles with individual, inheritable ownership rights. On his proposed inauguration day, November 8, 2025, Quiroga intends to usher in new agricultural, hydrocarbons, mining, and lithium laws.
As Bolivia prepares for the October 19 runoff, Quiroga faces centrist Senator Rodrigo Paz, who surged to first place in the August 17 elections. Paz, with his moderate tone and populist proposals—such as bonuses for mothers and increased pensions for retirees—has captured the support of disillusioned MAS voters. However, Quiroga criticized Paz's plans as vague and warned that the proposed pension increases could trigger hyperinflation and further fiscal instability. "You have to ask about profitability. ... Hyperinflation would explode," Quiroga cautioned, raising questions about how the government could fund the $4 billion needed for Paz's pension promises.
Beyond economics, Quiroga has also addressed the legal status of his longtime rival, former president Evo Morales. Morales, who held power from 2006 until his ouster in 2019, remains in Bolivia's tropics, evading an arrest warrant on charges related to his alleged relationship with a minor. Quiroga was measured yet firm: "There is no impunity for anyone. I will apply the law in every square meter of Bolivia, at all times, to all people." Pressed on whether he would ensure Morales's arrest, he replied, "Arrest warrants must be fulfilled for everyone." During the interview, Quiroga did not mince words, referring to Morales as a "big mouth," "bully," and "greatest coward in Bolivia's history."
Meanwhile, the Bolivian judiciary has made headlines of its own. On August 26, 2025, a court in El Alto annulled a criminal proceeding against former interim president Jeanine Áñez, ruling that her case should be transferred to the legislative branch for a trial of responsibilities, as required by Bolivian law for high-ranking officials. The court's decision came amid revelations that judges had been pressured by officials from the Ministry of Justice, Attorney General's Office, and Prosecutor General's Office—all institutions controlled by the ruling MAS party and President Luis Arce.
Áñez, who has been imprisoned since 2021 and is widely recognized as a political prisoner by international organizations like the OAS and European Union, celebrated the ruling. "I want to say that history will remember that on this day legality was defended, judicial independence was vindicated, and a step was taken towards a fairer and freer Bolivia. Long live Bolivia!" she declared. Her lawyer, Luis Guillen, echoed this sentiment, calling it a "historic day" and noting the importance of the court recognizing the intimidation suffered by the judiciary.
The Senkata case, for which Áñez was being prosecuted, involves the deaths of ten protesters during clashes with security forces in November 2019. Áñez rejected responsibility, stating, "I signed a decree to enable the Armed Forces in public order tasks, but it was never a license to kill," and blamed Morales for provoking the protests out of "angst for power." The court ordered the release of all defendants in the case, sparking protests from victims' families, who announced plans to appeal the decision.
Despite this legal victory, Áñez remains in prison due to other pending cases—nine in total, with six involving pre-trial detention and one with a final conviction. The court's decision, however, is seen by many as a sign that Bolivia's judiciary may be regaining its independence after years of being used as a tool for political persecution, particularly against opposition figures.
The timing of these judicial developments is no coincidence. They come just days after the MAS party's defeat in the August 18 general elections, which saw the party excluded from the presidential runoff for the first time in two decades. The advance of two opposition candidates—Quiroga and Paz—signals a dramatic shift in Bolivia's political landscape and the possible end of the socialist project that has shaped the country since Evo Morales's ascent.
International observers suggest that this new political reality has liberated the courts, allowing them to distance themselves from the ruling party and demonstrate a renewed commitment to judicial independence. For a nation that has weathered coups, economic crises, and fierce ideological battles, the coming months promise to be transformative—perhaps even defining—for Bolivia's democracy and the rule of law.
