NEW YORK -- Evo Morales' assumption of the Bolivian presidency promises a major revamping of the country's political and economic system. He is a popular leader with a significant following within the indigenous Bolivian population, and comes to power with an ambitious program for developing the country.
Bolivia's relationship with the United States, and with international companies that possess a stake in the country's resources, will be crucial during his term in office. How successful he is will depend in great measure on his political wisdom in dealing with powerful forces inside and outside the country.
Morales, one of the founders of the Movement to Socialism party, first achieved national prominence in April 2000 when a large international corporation was due to take over newly privatized waterworks in the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia's second-largest city. The resulting price increases would have put water out of reach for the majority of the population. Following mass demonstrations led by Morales, the proposed privatization scheme was defeated and the country got a taste of Morales' charisma and leadership.