Jorge Quiroga vows to give Bolivians ownership of mineral resources

In Bolivia, Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga, a right-wing ex-president, is campaigning to radically shift the country's economic structure. Following three failed presidential attempts, Quiroga is now a leading candidate headed to a runoff election after Bolivia's leftist party, Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), faced significant decline. He proposes a plan to give shares of Bolivia's abundant mineral resources directly to individual citizens, marking a departure from the nationalistic policies that have dominated for nearly two decades. His strategy aims to dismantle the state's control over resources and empower citizens to have a stake in the economy. Quiroga's plan is particularly notable because it represents a major ideological shift within Bolivia, a country where resource nationalism has been a key policy objective under former President Evo Morales. Morris held the presidency from 2006 until his ouster in 2019 amid allegations of election fraud. Unlike Morales, Quiroga emphasizes free markets and individual ownership rights, proposing to give Bolivians shares from state-owned companies pertaining to lithium, iron, and gas. He states that these shares would not initially be allowed to be sold to foreign investors, thus offering a form of economic empowerment while maintaining certain controls. In addition to economic restructuring, Quiroga also plans to reform Bolivia's foreign policy. He aims to distance Bolivia from allies such as Iran and to reject the legitimacy of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's recent election win. Quiroga's focus is also on reigniting economic opportunities and aligning Bolivian policy with democratic governance. He believes that through these changes, Bolivia can improve its economic stability and enhance its global positioning, Despite Quiroga's promises of change, concerns are being raised about his plans and their feasibility given Bolivia's current economic climate. Critics allege that Quiroga's pro-business agenda, while appealing to some voters, will encounter challenges in a country still grappling with the aftermath of populist governance. His proposal to allocate resources directly to citizens, albeit innovative, has the potential to ignite debates around privatization—a term charged with historical significance in Bolivia. The upcoming election on October 19 could determine the future direction of Bolivia's economy and its political landscape.