Bolivia's

With one deft movement, Bolivia's combative leader felled an opponent in a football match against a team of political rivals.

Low blow Morales: Bolivian president knees football opponent in groin Rory Carroll 2010

They successfully backed Bolivia's government against an extra-parliamentary challenge from the right in 2008, and most recently stood behind Ecuador in that attempted coup there a few weeks ago.

Mark Weisbrot: Kirchner Rescued Argentina's Economy, Helped Unite South America Mark Weisbrot 2010

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia—Opposition from Bolivia's independently organized miners stopped President Evo Morales from implementing plans to boost state control over the country's mines Sunday, according to leading officials who were advocating takeovers of the country's vast mineral wealth.

Bolivian Miners Stop Nationalization Plans Martin Arostegui 2011

Since his 2005 election as the head of the Movement Towards Socialism, which has empowered Bolivia's indigenous people and forged leftist policies, he has become a reserve player for Litoral, an amateur second-division squad.

Low blow Morales: Bolivian president knees football opponent in groin Rory Carroll 2010

On previous labor days, he announced nationalizations of Bolivia's strategic hydrocarbon reserves and the electric power grid, with mass rallies and military displays.

Bolivian Miners Stop Nationalization Plans Martin Arostegui 2011

Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera pointed to serious differences within Bolivia's estimated 100,000 mine workers for the turnaround.

Bolivian Miners Stop Nationalization Plans Martin Arostegui 2011

Morales told the Peruvian radio station RPP that the railway would run from Puerto Suarez, on Bolivia's border with Brazil, to the Pacific port of Ilo in Peru.

Bolivia-Peru Railway: Evo Morales Hopes To Build New Link The Huffington Post News Editors 2011

Bolivia's President Evo Morales did not wait for that to welcome the arrival of a fellow left-wing leader.

Ollanta Humala expected to win Peru's presidential election 2011

LIMA, Peru -- Bolivia's president said Monday that he hopes to build a new railway linking his country to Peru that would facilitate exports to Asia.

Bolivia-Peru Railway: Evo Morales Hopes To Build New Link The Huffington Post News Editors 2011

The friendly match started when, wearing a No 10 green jersey, Morales, a football fanatic and Bolivia's first indigenous president, led his team of bodyguards and officials on to the artificial pitch.

Low blow Morales: Bolivian president knees football opponent in groin Rory Carroll 2010