Peru swaps out economy minister in surprise move
LIMA - Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on Tuesday shook up her cabinet, replacing the Andean nation's economy minister after just a few months and the day before her prime minister was to face a censure vote in Congress.
Economy Minister Jose Salardi, who assumed the post in January, was succeeded by Transportation Minister Raul Perez, who told journalists after being sworn in that he would meet with Salardi "to go over the agenda."
The reshuffle came a day before Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen was set to face a censure vote in Congress after calls for his resignation over rising crime and the recent kidnap and killing of 13 miners.
Boluarte did not provide a reason for replacing Salardi. Perez becomes her fourth economy minister since she took office in December 2022.
Business groups had warned Salardi, who boosted public project tenders and attracted investment, could be ejected.
"We expect continuity in economic policy with the new minister," Jorge Zapata, president of Peru's main private business association CONFIEP, said in an interview with local television station Canal N.
Luis Castilla, who served as economy minister more than 10 years ago, said analysts were concerned that the change could lead to increased public spending, putting fiscal targets at risk, especially as the government faces a credibility crisis.
Boluarte's popularity has dropped to historic lows, with a poll released this week putting it at 2%.
"There will be a push to spend more than what's sustainable," Castilla warned.
Boluarte on Tuesday also replaced her interior minister, Julio Diaz, whose stint as minister lasted less than two months. Carlos Malaver, who previously headed the ministry's anti-crime division, will take his place.
The change came less than a year before Peruvians go to the polls to elect a president and members of Congress.
Presidential reelection in the Andean country is prohibited by the constitution. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Zelensky says Russia seeks to disrupt Ukraine, Moldova, south-eastern Europe
Mr Zelensky said collective efforts were needed to keep Moscow from causing further disruption. PHOTO: REUTERS ODESA, Ukraine - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 11 Russia was determined to sow chaos in and destroy the south of his country as well as nearby Moldova and Romania, and called for increased pressure on Moscow to prevent further military threats. Mr Zelensky, addressing a conference of southeast European leaders in the Black Sea port of Odesa, said collective efforts were needed to keep Moscow from causing further disruption. "The security of south-eastern Europe and the Black Sea is indivisible... Today, we are forced to fight not only for our country, but also for this reality to become the cornerstone of a new regional policy," Mr Zelensky said on Telegram. "We are here in Odesa, a city that Russia wants to destroy, as it has destroyed countless other cities. Russian military plans are aimed at this region, and then at the borders with Moldova and Romania. We need protection now. But even more, we need long-term guarantees that this will never happen again." Odesa, site of three ports, has been a frequent target of Russian air strikes in three years of war. The city came under a massive drone attack on June 9 that targeted an emergency medical building, a maternity ward and residential buildings. Much attention has focused on a possible Russian threat to Moldova, where pro-European President Maia Sandu has accused Moscow of trying to destabilise her country and unseat her. Her Party of Action and Solidarity, which holds a majority in Parliament, faces a general election in September, the outcome of which could affect the president's ability to press on with a campaign to join the European Union in 2030. Ukraine has also started talks on EU membership. "For three decades, Russia has tried to keep Moldova poor and unstable in order to take full control of it," Mr Zelensky said. "If Europe loses in Moldova this year, it will embolden Russia to meddle even more in your countries' affairs, taking away your resources, your sovereignty, even your history." Ms Sandu told the conference that Moldova "knows just what hybrid war is and is prepared to share its experience". "Moldova is facing one of its most important elections. Russia wants to see Moldova turn away from Ukraine. More to the point, it wants to use Moldova against Ukraine and the EU." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
34 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Trump's tariffs are likely to outlast him
US President Donald Trump at the White House on June 9. The writer says support for the liberal trading order founded after 1945 has evaporated. PHOTO: DOUG MILLS/NYTIMES Effective opposition to US President Donald Trump's trade policies has yet to pop its head above the parapet. Old-school pro-trade types are sidelined – consoling themselves, perhaps, that the protectionist turn will reverse once the costs are clearer. Be patient, we tell ourselves: This, too, shall pass. Will it? I don't doubt that the policies will fail. By itself, however, that won't restore the pre-Trump era. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Zelenskiy says Russia seeks to disrupt Ukraine, Moldova, southeastern Europe
FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks during a press briefing following phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump, amid Russia?s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 19, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo ODESA, Ukraine - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday Russia was determined to sow chaos in and destroy the south of his country as well as nearby Moldova and Romania, and called for increased pressure on Moscow to prevent further military threats. Zelenskiy, addressing a conference of southeast European leaders in the Black Sea port of Odesa, said collective efforts were needed to keep Moscow from causing further disruption. "The security of Southeastern Europe and the Black Sea is indivisible ... Today, we are forced to fight not only for our country, but also for this reality to become the cornerstone of a new regional policy," Zelenskiy said on Telegram. "We are here in Odesa, a city that Russia wants to destroy, as it has destroyed countless other cities. Russian military plans are aimed at this region, and then at the borders with Moldova and Romania. We need protection now. But even more, we need long-term guarantees that this will never happen again." Odesa, site of three ports, has been a frequent target of Russian air strikes in three years of war. The city came under a massive drone attack on Monday that targeted an emergency medical building, a maternity ward and residential buildings. Much attention has focused on a possible Russian threat to Moldova, where pro-European President Maia Sandu has accused Moscow of trying to destabilise her country and unseat her. Her Party of Action and Solidarity, which holds a majority in parliament, faces a general election in September, the outcome of which could affect the president's ability to press on with a campaign to join the European Union in 2030. Ukraine has also started talks on EU membership. "For three decades, Russia has tried to keep Moldova poor and unstable in order to take full control of it," Zelenskiy said. "If Europe loses in Moldova this year, it will embolden Russia to meddle even more in your countries' affairs, taking away your resources, your sovereignty, even your history." Sandu told the conference that Moldova "knows just what hybrid war is and is prepared to share its experience". "Moldova is facing one of its most important elections. Russia wants to see Moldova turn away from Ukraine. More to the point, it wants to use Moldova against Ukraine and the EU." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
