Claudio Vidal is the governor of Santa Cruz and a former leader of the oil workers' union. Since mid-January he has headed the "School Operation" by which the entire cabinet is obliged to paint educational establishments.
He has already fired two officials who did not go. "To those who criticize me, the recommendation is that they get to work," says the provincial leader, brush in hand. "This is the province with the fewest days of classes on average in the last eight to 10 years," he says.