Michelle Bachelet

"Former torture victim Michelle Bachelet has been sworn in as Chile's first female president."

Ms Bachelet, 54, who claimed a convincing poll win in January, smiled broadly and waved after taking her oath in the coastal city of Valparaiso.

Bolivian President Evo Morales, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and US Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice were among those at the ceremony.

Ms Bachelet is taking over with the economy booming, correspondents say.

Bachelet tem tudo para ter um bom futuro. Para isso basta aproveitar as reformas económicas realizadas na década de 80, que são a razão do sucesso da economia chilena.