Evo Morales, the newly elected president of Bolivia, said he will follow through on promises to keep the country independent of the United States.

Morales, 46, an Aymara coca farmer, said he would halt a U.S.-backed program to eradicate the crop. He supports nationalization of the country's gas reserves and backs initiatives for Bolivia's poor and indigenous citizens.

Morales' party, the Movement Toward Socialism, made other gains in Sunday's election. According to The New York Times, the party won nearly half the 27 seats in the Senate, up to half the 130 seats in the lower house and at least two of nine governorships.

Get the Story:
(The Los Angeles Times 12/20)
pwday
For Bolivian Victor, A Powerful Mandate (The Washington Post 12/20)
pwpwd
Bolivia's Newly Elected Leader Maps His Socialist Agenda (The New York Times 12/20)
pwnyt

Relevant Links:
Evo Morales - http://www.evomorales.org

Related Stories:
Indian coca farmer elected president in Bolivia (12/19)
Indian women star in Bolivia's wrestling spectacle (07/21)
Opinion: Bolivian Indians raise important issues (06/14)
Opinion: Indians still second-class citizens in Bolivia (6/13)
Judge sworn in as new president of Bolivia (6/10)
Bolivian Indians demand new election for president (6/9)
Indian-led protests in Bolivia take violent turn (6/8)
Indian protests in Bolivia prompt resignation offer (6/7)
Indian youth in Bolivian city embrace hip-hop (05/26)
Clashes reported as Bolivian Indians stage protest (5/25)
Indian protests in Bolivia prompt resignation offer (03/08)
Indians in Bolivia protest hike in gasoline prices (01/25)
Indian activists in Bolivia stage major protests (01/13)
Indian political party wins Bolivian elections (12/07)
Indians in Bolivia seek self-determination (07/19)
Indians in Bolivia hope to create tribal nation (01/08)
Writer says Indian movement threatens democracy (11/13)
Ecuador's Indians to stage massive protests (10/30)
Bolivia's Indians march to celebrate power (10/21)
Bolivia's Indians help drive president from office (10/20)
Bolivian Indians marching against president (10/17)