Left-wing Latin American
leaders have congratulated Bolivian President Evo Morales, who has
claimed victory and a third term in
office after presidential elections
held on Sunday.The presidents of Argentina, Nicaragua, Uruguay and Venezuela expressed their good wishes to Mr Morales.
Exit polls show him on 60%, well ahead of his closest rival's 25% of the vote.
To avoid a run-off, he must win 50% of valid votes, or 40% if that includes a 10-point lead over his nearest rival.
'Carry on winning' Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said Mr Morales's lead in the exit polls was proof of "the vigour of the liberation process in the region".
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Uruguayan leader Jose Mujica both called Mr Morales to personally congratulate him.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wrote a series of messages on his Twitter account (in Spanish) celebrating Mr Morales's lead.
"Evo, a great victory of the South American homeland, from Venezuela we send you a hug and congratulations, let's carry on winning!" he wrote.
Salvadorean President Salvador Sanchez Ceren tweeted that the election "strengthens democracy, Bolivia continues building hope for Latin America and the world".
'Anti-imperialist triumph' President Morales told cheering supporters at the presidential palace in La Paz that "this win is a triumph for anti-imperialists and anti-colonialists".
He dedicated "this triumph" to the Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and Venezuela's late president, Hugo Chavez.
Mr Morales has overseen strong economic growth since taking office in 2006, using Bolivia's commodity wealth to reduce poverty levels.
But he has been criticised for failing to halt corruption.
Source:BBC
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