Arce recalled that in 2006 Bolivia nationalized its strategic natural resources and implemented an alternative economic model to the neoliberal one, with nationally and internationally recognized results. | Photo: @LuchoXBolivia​

La Paz, January 22 (RHC)-- The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce Catacora highlighted this Saturday that in less than two years after the coup d'état of November 2019 that country, the path of economic growth was resumed, with 8.9 percentage points at the close of the third quarter of 2021, and income redistribution to combat poverty and reduce inequality.

During his message to the nation on the occasion of the thirteenth anniversary of the Day of the Plurinational State of Bolivia -- delivered from the Casa Grande del Pueblo, in La Paz -- the head of state said that such growth is the result of having resumed the model of growth with social inclusion after the popular victory that defeated the coup regime.

The Bolivian president recalled that in the third quarter of 2020, during the de facto government's administration, the recession registered -12.6 percent, a drop not seen for almost seven decades.

He added that the decisions taken by his Government contribute to maintain price stability and the lowest inflation rate in the region, and will allow that during 2022 the economic growth will be around 6 percent.

He mentioned that unemployment, which reached its historical maximum of 11.6 percent in July 2020 (during the administration of the coup perpetrators), was substantially reduced, and that in November 2021 it was already at 5.2 percent.

The Bolivian leader valued that industrializing production and substituting imports will help generate and redistribute more income, which will strengthen social programs, the fight against poverty and the reduction of inequalities.

Of the achievements in the social area, he highlighted the reduction of extreme and moderate poverty to levels that the country has never had before, and which currently stand at 11 and 33 percent, respectively.

Luis Arce said that to continue advancing towards a society of equals, it is necessary to wage an uninterrupted struggle against imperialism, capitalism and neocolonialism with more social policies, more mobilizations and more awareness.

He pointed out that this triad of tools and the consciousness and unity of the people can defeat imperialism and its internal political operators, creating better conditions to bequeath to the younger generations a more prosperous and just country.

During his message, President Luis Arce stressed that the Plurinational State of Bolivia includes all people without discrimination and its proclamation was the result of the Democratic and Cultural Revolution, which expanded rights, enhanced political participation and allowed the recovery of strategic natural resources.

He said that the Plurinational State not only means recognizing nationalities and redefining institutions, but also building a society, a State and an economic model as an alternative to neoliberal capitalism, as well as a political project that takes into account the popular sectors.

The protocol acts for the Day of the Plurinational State of Bolivia were also attended by Vice President David Choquehuanca, as well as the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, Andrónico Rodríguez and Freddy Mamani, respectively.