Bolivian Leader Replaces 4 in Cabinet
President Victor Paz Estenssoro replaced four Cabinet ministers on Friday, including the man who, as interior minister, was responsible for the country’s drug enforcement campaign.
The other Cabinet changes were in the aeronautics, agriculture and labor ministries, according to Information Minister Herman Antelo.
Antelo said that Interior Minister Fernando Barthelemy will be succeeded by Juan Carlos Duran. Duran was the president’s secretary, with Cabinet rank, when the entire Cabinet resigned Thursday evening. Fifteen ministers were reappointed.
Antelo denied reports that Barthelemy was removed because of opposition by some Cabinet members to a new drug eradication agreement signed by the Bolivian and U.S. governments Thursday. But the information minister declined to comment on the reason for Barthelemy’s removal.
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