Luis Arce tries to renew his government with three cabinet changes – GenteTuya.com

Months of fuel and dollar shortages have put the MAS government in a bind and led to rising living costs, sparking social protests.

President of Bolivia Luis Arce On Monday, he replaced three of his 17 ministers as he faced a worsening economy and intense questioning from social, production and political sectors.

The most important change is Hydrocarbons Divisionwhose previous owner has announced his departure. The new minister is Alejandro Gallardo, who previously worked in that office.

In a speech, the president said that “change is always good for rejuvenation” and asked his collaborators to “do their job with integrity and cleanliness.”

this Fuel and dollar shortages The situation has been going on for months, weighing down Arce’s government and raising the cost of living, sparking protests. The president had to call on Russia to buy diesel and sell it at subsidized prices.

Bolivia will spend this year $1.2 billion in gasoline and diesel imports According to recent official reports, the sale price is half of the international price. To finance these purchases, the government has used international currency reserves, which has exacerbated the shortage of dollars and, in turn, has affected the price increase. Dollars are quoted in the informal market at 100% higher than the official price.

Natural gas production, which powered Bolivia’s economy until 2014, has been in crisis due to a lack of new discoveries as wells have dried up and investment in exploration has fallen.Bolivian President Luis Arce, left, embraces newly appointed Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy Alejandro Gallardo (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

Arce proposed last week National referendum About subsidies that are draining the economy. Consultations are likely to take place in early 2025, the same year as the presidential election.

The street vendors are out on Monday. Protests in Cochabamba In the center of the country, a shortage of dollars has affected their sales.

Arce also took office as Minister of Rural Development and Land on Monday. Juan Yamil FloresPrior to his appointment, he was an acting representative. The agro-industrial sector has called on the government to make urgent reforms to stem a drop in agricultural exports due to climate factors and fuel shortages. Herlan Julio Rodriguez He will succeed Veronica Navia as the new Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security.

“President Arce should have made changes long ago, but today he replaced ministers who had no significant impact,” commented an opposition representative. Freddy Lopez.

Despite repeated calls from all walks of life, Arce He rarely changes collaborators. Since taking office in 2020.

“The task is difficult, we have serious commitments that are being fulfilled step by step. Change is always good, renewing energies, ideas, commitments and work that are essential to continue,” the Bolivian president said during a speech at the minister’s inauguration at the presidential headquarters in La Paz.

The new Minister of Hydrocarbons thanked President Arce on behalf of the three new authorities and announced that within his mandate he would propose and promote new regulations “in line with current events” and driven by technology and international allies. “Hydrocarbons and Energy Wealth.”