Peru’s president to replace prime minister in Cabinet shakeup

The prime minister will be replaced as part of a reorganization of her Cabinet, according to Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, who is in charge of a transitional government following the removal of her predecessor.

Prior to Pedro Castillo’s impeachment and subsequent detention earlier this month, Boluarte served as vice president. Castillo’s predecessor had attempted to dissolve Congress illegally.

Since taking on the new position, Boluarte’s administration has been shaken by political unrest and protracted demonstrations that have claimed 20 lives, with six more slain in events involving road blockades, according to police.

The worst demonstrations to hit the Andean nation in years pose a threat to the economy and political stability of Peru, harming investor confidence in the No. 2 copper producer in the world.

Boluarte stated on Sunday’s episode of America Television’s news program “Cuarto Poder” that the changes to the Cabinet would occur on Monday and Tuesday. Her ministers of education and culture resigned as a result of the protest-related deaths, which prompted the shakeup.

The move, according to Boluarte, was motivated by the necessity “to be able to establish skilled ministers in each area,” he said during a news conference on Saturday.

She made no mention of Pedro Angulo, the prime minister who had only been in office for a week.

Boluarte declared, “Nobody can have a minister who will learn on the job. “Since this is a transitional administration, we must move quickly.”

The new Cabinet, which will collaborate with the opposition-led Congress, will be “a little more political,” Boluarte further stated.

To be able to build these bridges for communication, Boluarte said, “We’ll be redefining the Cabinet. It might be a more technical Cabinet, but it will also be one that’s a bit more political.”