Bolivia officially cuts two ministries, creates presidential delegate roles

The Bolivian government has officially streamlined its executive branch, reducing the number of ministries from fourteen to twelve through Decree 5675. This move, announced by President Rodrigo Paz, aims to modernize and simplify governmental operations.

The decree officially abolishes the ministries of Development Planning and of Sustainable Tourism, Culture, Folklore, and Gastronomy. While a National Agency for Tourism, Folklore, and Gastronomy was previously mentioned, the new structure places the Vice-Ministry of Sustainable Tourism and Cultures under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other decentralized entities, including the National Symphony Orchestra and the Bolivian Film and Audiovisual Development Agency (Adecine), also now fall under the purview of the Foreign Ministry.

Furthermore, the four vice-ministries previously under Development Planning have been redistributed among existing ministries, with two being downgraded to directorates. The Ministry of Productive, Rural, and Water Development is now the Ministry of Sustainable Production, Environment, and Water. Within the Ministry of Government (Interior), the Vice-Ministry of Social Defense and Controlled Substances has been renamed the Vice-Ministry for the Integral Fight Against Narcotrafficking.

A significant addition is the provision for "presidential delegates." These delegates can be appointed by President Paz to coordinate, track, and evaluate policies, strategies, programs, or initiatives deemed of "national interest" when specialized representation or management is required. These delegates will have a functional dependence on the Presidency but cannot duplicate ministerial attributions. The specifics of their appointment and operations will be defined by separate decrees.

This reform also reaffirms a January decree allowing Paz to govern digitally when abroad, eliminating the need to temporarily transfer power to Vice President Edmand Lara.