A Bolivian coca farmer, Mr Evo Morales, renowned for his implacable opposition to US drug-eradication efforts, has reached the final stage of the state's presidential elections.
After 10 days of vote-counting Mr Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, of the centre-right Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR), was yesterday named official winner with 22.5 per cent of the vote, while Mr Morales finished second with 21 per cent.
"Bolivia has lost its fear of the US and is organising to recover its dignity," said Mr Morales, who was stripped of his parliamentary post last year after leading resistance against coca eradication.
Before last week's election, Mr Morales was fourth in the polls when the US warned financial aid could be withdrawn if he should become president. The impact was immediate as Mr Morales doubled his vote, finishing 20,000 votes behind the winning candidate.
Bolivia's congress will choose the next president from the two front-runners by August 6th, the day the new leader is to be inaugurated. Mr Manfred Reyes Villa, a former military officer and one- time favourite to win the election, finished 700 votes behind Mr Morales.
The two run-off candidates must seek support from the nine parties represented in congress to reach the necessary 80 votes and assume office.
Mr Morales has refused to make any deals with his congressional colleagues, insisting that prior bargaining leads to corruption and compromise.
Mr Reyes Villa has hinted publicly that he will offer Mr Morales his support, which would add up to 31 legislators. Mr Morales, whose Movement Toward Socialism won 36 seats in parliament, can also count on the votes of a smaller indigenous party, bringing him close to an overall majority.
Mr Sanchez de Lozada's party won 47 seats and is offering cabinet posts to opposition leaders in return for parliamentary support, a formula likely to see him safely into office.
However, Mr Morales has placed US intervention firmly on the political agenda and will enjoy a significant platform for continuing his crusade.