Zarif: Iran ready to expand ties with Bolivia’s legitimate gov’t

Zarif made the remarks during his phone talks with Evo Morales, former South American president and current leader of the left-wing Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, IRNA reported. 

During his talks with Morales, Iranian top diplomat congratulated the success attained by the Morales’ party in the twice-postponed elections which was held on Sunday.

Luis Arce, of MAS party won the presidential election in the country.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh also in a message on Tuesday praised Bolivia for holding peaceful presidential elections and returning to democracy following a yearlong power vacuum caused by the forced resignation of Morales.

The Islamic Republic “congratulates the people of Bolivia and those elected on holding the nationwide elections in a calm atmosphere and with a significant turnout of voters,” Khatibzadeh said.

Officials released no formal count, but rapid counts showed Arce took more than 50 percent of the votes, with his centrist rival Carlos Mesa on around 30 percent.

Acre claimed victory in the elections, saying, “We have reclaimed democracy and above all we have reclaimed hope.”

He further vowed to end the uncertainty that has plagued his nation since October 2019, when disputed claims of vote rigging against his party resulted in street protests.

Morales was forced to resign in November 2019 under pressure from the military and following the opposition's challenging of the victory that he had secured in presidential elections.

The ex-president, who believes that he was the victim of an orchestrated coup, sought exile in Mexico back then and is currently residing in Argentina.

Morales has said he will soon return to his homeland.