President Dina Boluarte seeks to sustain her nascent government, scrutinized by Congress and rejected in social protests, with a cabinet in which technical performance stands out over political management.
In a message to the country, after swearing in his ministers, he pointed out that his assumption of the Executive Branch “is not a blank check, but a commitment to each one of you to get out of the political crisis and the serious effects of the pandemic.”
“I make a fraternal call for calm, tranquility and social peace. Let’s avoid conflicts that put our brotherhood at risk as Peruvians. I am attentive to social concerns and demands, I offer my open hand to meet fair claims, and with the help of all social sectors and political forces we will once again have the stability that our country so much requires and demands,” she said accompanied by her cabinet.
Equipment
The prime minister is the lawyer Pedro Angulo, former dean of the Lima Bar Association (CAL) and former anti-corruption prosecutor. His political career is reduced to a presidential candidacy for the Contigo party, formerly Peruvians for Kambio (PPK), in 2021, which left the race, in addition to CAL.
PCM. Angulo leads the cabinet, despite questions and incursion into the right-wing party. Photo: Félix Contreras/La República
In Foreign Relations, the diplomat Ana Gervasi, former vice minister in this sector and in Foreign Trade, was appointed.
In Economics and Finance, the economic engineer Alex Contreras was appointed. He has been vice minister in this same entity since August 2021.
Retired Police General César Cervantes is the Interior Minister. He has been General Commander of the Police in the government of Francisco Sagasti.
The lawyer José Tello is head of Justice and Human Rights. He is a well-known expert in electoral and municipal law.
Boluarte appointed lawyer Luis Otárola as Minister of Defense. He has been his defense attorney before the Subcommittee on Constitutional Accusations of Congress and in the government of Ollanta Humala he has already held the position that he now assumes.
The educator Patricia Correa assumed the Ministry of Education. She has been a specialist of the Unesco Horizons Program in Peru. She was an advisor to the National Education Council from 2003 to 2011 and head of the Regional Coordination Office in the ministry that she now heads, from 2011 to 2014.
The doctor Rosa Gutiérrez was sworn in as Minister of Health. In this same entity, she was general director of Operations since last November.
Agronomist engineer Nelly Paredes is the head of Agrarian Development and Irrigation. Until October she headed Serfor (National Forestry and Wildlife Service), in the same sector.
The administrator Sandra Belaunde is the new Minister of Production. In the same entity, she was general director of Policies and Regulatory Analysis in the Humala government. She has also been manager of Economic Studies of the Association of Banks (Asbanc).
The administrator Luis Elguero assumes Foreign Trade and Tourism. He has been an economic adviser to the Foreign Ministry between 2010 and 2011 and to the Embassy of Peru in Japan until 2019.
Oscar Vera is the head of Energy and Mines, where he managed the Talara refinery.
The political scientist Hania Pérez de Cuéllar assumed the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation. She was president of Indecopi in the Sagasti government. Before she was an official of the Ministry of Production.
The engineer and consultant Albina Ruiz Ríos will direct the Ministry of the Environment. She is a renowned environmental manager. She has been deputy minister of the sector in the government of Martín Vizcarra.
The lawyer Julio Demartini is the head of Development and Social Inclusion (Midis). In that entity, he was Vice Minister of Social Benefits since October. He has been a candidate for mayor of the La Perla district, in Callao, with the Chimpum group and other organizations, and a local leader of PPK.
The lawyer Grecia Rojas Ortiz is the Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations. In that institution, she has been deputy minister in the Sagasti administration, then director against Gender Violence and, until days ago, head of the Advisory Cabinet.
The writer and cultural manager Jair Pérez Brañez is the new Minister of Culture. In that sector, he has been general director of Cultural Industries and Arts.
Boluarte has yet to designate the heads of Transport and Communications (MTC) and Labor and Employment Promotion.
Angulo has been questioned because, in a recording, former Supreme Judge César Hinostroza mentions him as a trusted man to favor a magistrate, and he has several complaints, including allegations of harassment.
reflections
“Parity is an important advance and I see a more technocratic than political tint. This is worrying because, although it is very important that everyone knows his portfolio, the minister’s role is more political than technical. Boluarte does not have a majority, it is important that his ministers have political characteristics, ”says political scientist Katherine Zegarra, a professor at the Catholic University of Peru (PUCP).
“It is essential that the new prime minister has the capacity for dialogue, not just the will, especially with the Legislature. A more technical profile does not mean guaranteed success ”, he adds.
“The cabinet should have been in the center-left with figures that were more political than technical and of a high level or trajectory. In addition, it would have been a transitional cabinet that, as soon as possible and after political reforms, called for new elections. It has not followed either the first or the second criteria and, worse, the PCM does not have as clear a path as it should have”, argues the political scientist Martín Navarro, a professor at the Universidad Mayor de San Marcos.
“This cabinet, instead of easing tensions, will aggravate them due to political inexperience. The little salvageable is that since the Sagasti government there were not so many women on the team, ”he says.
“Boluarte is giving a total turn to what Castillo represented and what she was a part of. The prime minister was the candidate of a right-wing party, not to mention other ministers. She forgets that she was elected on a left wing iron. That can cause problems, as we already see in the regions,” warns sociologist Mario Berrios, a professor at the universities of San Agustín and Católica de Santa María, in Arequipa.
“The technical cabinets are for times of peace. We are in a crisis that requires good politicians to manage conflicts and build bridges with the Legislative Branch,” she adds.
reactions
Vladimir Cerrón, Secretary General of PL
“A cabinet to the right, caviarized and lizardized. Remember, Boluarte, that you also won by promising a leftist program and you are going down the same path of betrayal, you know how they end up”.
Patricia Juárez, congresswoman spokesperson for FP
“It is healthy to see that they have a track record and come to give their experience at the service of citizens and the State. It is a good start, you have to give the benefit that they start to do their job ”.
Luis Aragón, Popular Action congressman
“It seems to me the best that politicians or congressmen from any bench have not been incorporated. That seems fundamental to me, fulfilling the commitment made by President Dina Boluarte”.
Diego Bazán, congressman of Avanza País
“I see career officials from each ministry that I think will generate consensus, stability, and obviously some changes will be made along the way to perfect this cabinet.”
