Los votantes bolivianos se disponen a elegir a un presidente no izquierdista en una segunda vuelta sin precedentes, tras casi dos décadas de gobierno socialista. El giro a la derecha se produce mientras el país afronta su peor crisis económica en años.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Bolivia is experiencing significant political and economic changes, highlighted by an upcoming presidential run-off, the first in the country's history. The recent election saw a centrist candidate, Senator Rodrigo Paz, unexpectedly lead the polls, reflecting widespread public dissatisfaction with traditional politicians and the legacy of former president Evo Morales.

The country is currently facing economic challenges, including double-digit inflation, fuel shortages, and a lack of hard currency. These hardships, combined with recent political unrest and allegations of attempts to remain in power fraudulently, have contributed to a desire for change among Bolivians. The run-off election is seen as a pivotal moment for the nation's future.

Bolivia se enfrenta a una segunda vuelta presidencial histórica y a cambios políticos

Dicen que el cambio es lo único seguro en la vida. Como, por ejemplo, la ancestral tradición boliviana de masticar hojas de coca, como éstas. Esta es la materia prima de la cocaína, que este país produce ilegalmente en cantidades copiosas. Pero ese no es el único uso de estas hojitas. La gente lleva siglos masticándola para quitarse el hambre y, sobre todo, para darte energía. Y aquí en Santa Cruz, en el centro de Sudamérica, hay una nueva moda. Al igual que las bebidas energéticas vienen en diferentes sabores, también lo hacen las hojas de coca. Hay de café, fruta de la pasión, caramelo, menta. Todo esto para hacer más sabrosa la bola que la gente mastica en el lateral de la boca. Y este sabe a chicle de café. Y este es stevia, más natural. ¿Por qué lo machacas? ¿Por qué no lo masticas? Eso es cosa del pasado. Dice que se puso de moda cuando empezaron a añadir sabor. Y no sólo añadiendo sabor, sino también ablandando las hojas, porque antes había que esperar mucho tiempo para ablandarlas en la boca. Cuando estás muy cansado, especialmente por la mañana, esto ayuda a aliviar la somnolencia, te da más energía. En realidad sabe a chicle, pero con algo más que no me parece demasiado sabroso. ¡Ja, ja, ja! Esta semana, los bolivianos demostraron que también están hartos del sabor de sus viejos políticos. Durante las elecciones presidenciales del domingo, las encuestas y los expertos demostraron una vez más que a menudo no saben de lo que están hablando. El candidato que habían puesto en cuarto o quinto lugar quedó primero, diez puntos porcentuales por delante de su rival más cercano, El senador Rodrigo Paz no es de extrema izquierda ni de extrema derecha, está en algún lugar en el medio, después de casi dos décadas del llamado socialismo del siglo XXI bajo el mandato del ex presidente Evo Morales. Mira dónde está ahora, escondido como una rata, porque eso es lo que hacen las ratas, correr y esconderse. La economía está en caída libre, inflación de dos dígitos, sin combustible, sin divisas. La gente está sufriendo. Algunos vienen aquí y ni siquiera pueden permitirse medio kilo, pero intentamos darles un poco más, aunque sea sin bolsa, porque incluso la bolsa de plástico es cara. También hemos visto mucha violencia política en los últimos años, intentos de mantenerse fraudulentamente en el poder, e intentos de golpes de estado. Pero ahora habrá una segunda vuelta presidencial el 19 de octubre, que también es absolutamente nuevo en Bolivia. Pero el punto principal es que en este mercado, como en casi todas partes en Bolivia, la gente está demostrando que está harta del pasado. Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

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