the president of PeruPedro Castillo, swore in six new ministers with the aim of forming a “broad-based cabinet that works for the country.” This is the fifth cabinet that has accompanied him since he began his mandate a little over a year ago.
However, only half of these positions are new faces, since in Culture, Labor and Transport ministers who were already holders of other ministries of Peru. Thus, the portfolios of Housing, Foreign Affairs and Economy of the Andean country will be headed by people from outside the Government.
However, they are not alien to public administration, at least in the case of the Ministry of Economy. Kurt Burneo, economist and university professor, was already Minister of Finance during the presidency of Ollanta Humala (2011-2016). In his first words to the press of PeruBurneo stated that his priority was to “restore confidence in economic agents” in order to revive the economy and boost job demand.
This is the third Minister of Economy and the fifth change in the Cabinet since Pedro Castillo took over as Head of State of the south american country in July 2021. The president is unable to overcome the persistent political crisis that is being waged in Congress, which, dominated by the right, hinders governability. On the other hand, he faces five investigations by the Prosecutor’s Office for alleged corruption.
Yesterday, in addition, Castillo did not accept the resignation presented by Prime Minister Aníbal Torres, who had even already said goodbye on his social networks. However, as the resignation was not “irrevocable”, the final decision was up to the president. What happens is that, if Torres resigned, all the ministers should do the same behind him and the president should have appointed a whole new cabinet.
Does not travel to Bogota
In his latest confrontation with Congress, Castillo received another blow: the legislators did not grant him permission to travel to Colombia to attend the inauguration of Gustavo Petro (in Peruthe Parliament must give the green light to the president’s trips abroad).
Castillo described this action as “unusual and arrogant”, while the foreign minister, César Landa, called on Congress to reverse the decision, although without the expected results. Thus, Peruvian Vice President Dina Boluarte will represent her country and her government in Bogotá.