Analysis-Investors betting voters in Bolivia will make a turn to the right

By Johann M Cherian and Rodrigo Campos

(Reuters) -Bolivia’s international bonds have rallied ahead of a fiercely contested presidential election, fueled by investors’ hopes that a political U-turn could help shore up the country’s fragile economy and pave the way for an IMF program.

The South American nation of 12 million people is engulfed in a crisis marked by inflation at a four-decade high, dwindling dollar reserves and a fiscal squeeze in which the government must choose to service debt or pay for fuel and food imports.

Bolivia’s international bonds, however, have enjoyed a stellar rally since the start of 2025. With a return of more than 30%, they are one of the top performers in JPMorgan’s emerging markets bond index, which across the asset class has returned slightly more than 7