Bolivian Assembly Shows Divergent Signals, Censure Economy Minister, Approve Public Works Counterpart

Bolivia's Plurinational Legislative Assembly presented contrasting political outcomes on consecutive days, first censuring the Minister of Economy and Public Finance, José Gabriel Espinoza, and then approving the performance of the Minister of Public Works, Mauricio Zamora.

Espinoza faced censure with 91 votes in favor, 34 against, and four abstentions. This followed his request to modify the date of his interpellation. The minister is currently under scrutiny due to a complaint filed by Vice President Edmundo Lara concerning the alleged irregular purchase of an Audi Q4. Espinoza is accused of falsifying documents, using forged instruments, and making false declarations in his asset and income statements. He admitted the purchase price discrepancy, attributing it to a transcription error.

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The censure of a minister is effected by the vote of two-thirds of the members of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly.

Furthermore, Espinoza has faced criticism over the implementation of a flexible exchange rate policy, which has led to continuous variations in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Bolivian peso. Despite the parliamentary censure, Espinoza remains in his post. The executive branch cited Article 58.I, numeral 18 of the Political Constitution of the State, which stipulates that a minister's censure requires a two-thirds majority vote from the Assembly's 166 members.

In contrast, Minister Zamora received majority approval during his interpellation concerning the state of the national airline, Boliviana de Aviación (BoA). Zamora acknowledged the airline is "destroyed" but stated it would not be privatized, though he left open the possibility of a public-private partnership to rescue it. The Assembly's votes are seen as an indication that majority party members are willing to support measures they deem beneficial for the country while rejecting those they disagree with. This week, the Legislative Body also rejected the Investment Law project, returning it to the Executive.

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the strategic company is 'destroyed'