Alfredo Zayas vs Evo Morales

Alfredo Zayas was elected president of Cuba as the Liberal Party candidate. His election followed a period of political turmoil and US intervention, and he promised to restore honest government.

Zayas launched an anti-corruption campaign, prosecuting officials from the previous Menocal administration. The campaign was popular but limited in scope, as Zayas himself faced accusations of corruption later in his term.

Zayas faced a severe financial crisis caused by falling sugar prices and government debt. He implemented austerity measures, including salary cuts for public employees, which were unpopular but stabilized the economy.

Zayas negotiated with the US to revise the Platt Amendment, which limited Cuban sovereignty. While the revision was minor, it was a step toward greater Cuban autonomy and reduced direct US intervention.

Morales won the presidential election with 53.7% of the vote, becoming Bolivia's first indigenous president. His victory marked a historic shift in Bolivian politics, ending centuries of exclusion of the indigenous majority.

Morales signed a decree nationalizing Bolivia's oil and gas reserves, ordering the military to occupy energy fields. The state renegotiated contracts with foreign companies, increasing government revenue from the sector from 18% to 82%.

Morales oversaw the drafting and approval of a new constitution that redefined Bolivia as a plurinational state. The constitution recognized indigenous rights, expanded social programs, and allowed for presidential re-election.

Following disputed elections and weeks of protests, Morales resigned under pressure from the military and police. He fled to Mexico, then Argentina, claiming he was the victim of a coup. The interim government led by Jeanine