Bolivian President Evo Morales declares victory in bid for third term in office

October 13th, 2014 (VOA) Bolivian President Evo Morales has declared victory in his bid for a third term in office.

Exit polls showed Morales winning with about 60 percent of Sunday’s vote. His closest challenger, businessman Samuel Doria Medina, had 24 percent.

Speaking to thousands of supporters late Sunday in La Paz, the president described the vote as a victory for his model of governing. He dedicated the win to former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

“This win is a triumph for anti-imperialists and anti-colonialists,” said Morales.

Morales has led Bolivia since 2006 with a left-wing economic policy, nationalist rhetoric and a focus on indigenous rights and the environment. Bolivia’s economy has averaged five-percent growth each year he has been in office.

Despite the advances, the country remains one of the poorest in South America, and critics have accused the president of abusing his power.