Foreign Minister: 'No former minister will automatically become ambassador'

Bolivia's Foreign Minister, Fernando Aramayo, has firmly stated that the practice of appointing former ministers as ambassadors to third countries will not occur under the current administration. He clarified that ambassadorial designations are exclusively the prerogative of the President and are subject to a rigorous procedure, not personal connections or favors.

"There is no such thing as 'now the foreign minister has been a minister for two years, so it's his turn to be an ambassador,' no, there is none of that and it will not happen," Aramayo told reporters. This statement comes amid speculation about potential diplomatic appointments for figures like former Minister of the Presidency, José Luis Lupo, and ex-governor Luis Fernando Camacho.

Aramayo reiterated that the selection process for ambassadors is methodical. He explained that if a decision were made to appoint someone, the necessary paperwork would be submitted to the Senate according to protocol. He dismissed the idea of arbitrary appointments, stating, "It's not that the president says: 'Okay guys, stand up, ambassador there, ambassador there, pack your bags, who knows English? You're going to the other side.' No, (for the election of an ambassador) there is a procedure."

The Foreign Ministry is prioritizing 15 countries and is ensuring that career diplomats are appointed. The names of these nominees are expected to be submitted to the Senate for consideration by the end of July. This move is part of a broader restructuring of the entire foreign service, aimed at professionalizing diplomatic roles and eliminating favoritism.