Bolivia Removes Economy Minister

Bolivia's government has removed Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza from his post after he was censured by Congress. The move comes amid mounting economic challenges and public unrest in the country.

Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto has been named as the interim Economy Minister, according to a presidential decree published on Friday in the Official Gazette. Pinto, who is currently the environment minister, will head the economy ministry until a permanent candidate is appointed.

The removal of Espinoza was a result of his failure to appear before the legislature to answer questions about the economy, which led to a censure vote by Congress on Tuesday. Initially, President Rodrigo Paz's administration said it would fight the censure decision, but the presidential decree suggests a change in course.

## What changed The decision to remove Espinoza marks a reversal for the Paz government, which had initially said it would support the minister. The move is likely to be seen as a concession by President Paz, who has faced public anger over the country's ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

## Why it matters Bolivia has been experiencing economic and political turmoil for years, with more than 37 percent of the population falling below the national poverty line as of 2024. The removal of Espinoza comes at a sensitive time for President Paz's government, which is seeking congressional backing for economic reforms and a financing program negotiated with the International Monetary Fund.

The country's economic challenges and public unrest are likely to continue, and the appointment of a new economy minister may be seen as an attempt to address these issues. However, the lack of a timeline for the appointment of a permanent candidate may raise concerns about the stability of the government's economic policies.