Bolivia's swing right sounds alarm for Latin American leftists

FILE PHOTO: People celebrate after early official results show Bolivian presidential candidate Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga of the conservative Alianza Libre coalition in second place, and as the ruling party Movement for Socialism (MAS) was on track to suffer its worst electoral defeat in a generation, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, August 17, 2025. REUTERS/Ipa Ibanez/File Photo

SANTIAGO/BOGOTA (Reuters) -The defeat of Bolivia's long powerful socialists at the weekend highlights a broader backlash against incumbent leftists that could be reflected in upcoming elections elsewhere in the region.

Driven by voter anger at soaring inflation and fuel shortages, as well as desire for a change after almost two decades of domination by one party, support for Bolivia's socialists cratered in Sunday's vote, with two right-leaning candidates securing places in October's run-off.