Briefly

BOLIVIA

Centrist Rodrigo Paz wins presidential runoff

Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator, won Bolivia's presidential runoff on Sunday, marking the end of two decades of left-wing rule. Paz, 58, won 54.53 percent of the votes, beating former president Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, who obtained 45.44 percent of the votes. The new president takes office on Nov 8 for a five-year term. He faces a weakened economy marked by fuel shortages, fiscal deficits and a prolonged lack of foreign exchange caused by declining international reserves.

UNITED STATES

Trump threatens new tariffs on Colombia

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would raise tariffs on Colombia and stop all payments to it, escalating a feud that stems from the US military's strikes on vessels allegedly transporting drugs. Earlier, Trump called Colombia's President Gustavo Petro an "illegal drug leader", while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said US forces had attacked a vessel associated with a Colombian rebel group. Petro said the boat belonged to a "humble family", not a rebel group, and his government called Trump's remarks offensive. Trump also said US financial aid would be cut off to the country and details about the new tariffs would be unveiled on Monday.

Agencies - Xinhua