The interim president of Bolivia, Jeanine Áñez.
(Credit: JORGE BERNAL / AFP via Getty Images)
(CNN Spanish) ––
The interim president of Bolivia, Jeanine Áñez, replaced three ministers from her cabinet, including Óscar Ortiz at the head of the Economy.
In fact, Ortiz spoke shortly before about "profound differences" with the Minister of Government, Arturo Murillo.
This Monday morning, Ortiz held a press conference where he commented on his departure from Áñez's cabinet officials.
"I have not resigned, although they developed a false information campaign surely to pressure me to do so.
It seems to me an unworthy way of acting, but in any case I understand that they have already decided to appoint another person, for which I have come just today to clean my desk and finish with the last papers, "Ortiz told reporters.
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«Discrepancies» between Bolivian ministers by ELFEC
Ortiz clarified that the return of the shares of the nationalized Empresa Nacional de Electricidad (ENDE) in Cochabamba, now Empresa de Luz y Fuerza Eléctrica Cochabamba (ELFEC), was one of the discrepancies with Murillo.
As he said, it was intended to pressure the Cabinet of Ministers to sign the decree, without there being a prior audit process, validity of life and legal review.
Given Ortiz's statements, the Minister of Government, Arturo Murillo, acknowledged that the ELFEC issue "has generated a lot of friction."
“Unfortunately, there are people who defend their regions tooth and nail.
But when we defend our regions, they oppose them, "he said at a press conference in Cochabamba.
Resignations and replacements
Shortly after, through a statement, the irrevocable resignation of Óscar Mercado from the position of Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security was also known.
Mercado held the position since December 2019.
These two resignations were joined by José Abe Martínez, as Minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy.
He was in charge of the ministry since July of this year.
Hours later, Áñez installed new officials.
They are Branko Marinkovic, Gonzalo Quiroga and Álvaro Tejerina as ministers of Economy, Development Planning and Labor, respectively.