Luis Arce Catacora
Luis Arce Catacora
Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (born September 28, 1963) is a Bolivian economist and politician who is the current president of Bolivia since 2020. He previously served as minister of finance from 2006 to 2017 under President Evo Morales.
Early life and career
Arce was born in La Paz, Bolivia, in 1963. He studied economics at the University of San Andrés in La Paz and at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. After graduating, he worked as a researcher at the Bolivian Central Bank and as an economist for the Andean Community of Nations.
Political career
In 2006, Arce was appointed minister of finance by President Evo Morales. He served in this position until 2017, making him one of the longest-serving finance ministers in Bolivian history. During his tenure, Arce oversaw a period of strong economic growth in Bolivia, due in part to high commodity prices and government investment. He also implemented a number of social programs, including a cash transfer program for poor families and a program to provide free computers to students.
In 2019, Arce ran for president of Bolivia as the candidate of the Movement for Socialism (MAS), the party of Evo Morales. He won the election in a landslide, defeating his main rival, Carlos Mesa, by a margin of more than 10 percentage points.
Presidency
Arce took office as president of Bolivia on November 8, 2020. He immediately began to implement a number of policies aimed at reversing the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These policies included increasing government spending, providing financial assistance to businesses, and raising taxes on the wealthy. Arce has also taken steps to strengthen ties with Bolivia's neighbors and to promote economic integration in the region.
Personal life
Arce is married to Lourdes Durán Romero, with whom he has three children. He is a Roman Catholic.
Awards and honors
- Bolivian National Order of the Condor of the Andes (2021)
- Honorary Doctorate from the University of San Andrés (2017)
- Honorary Doctorate from the University of La Paz (2016)
