Chilean President Boric replaces 5 cabinet ministers

In Chile, President Boric made changes in the cabinet. Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola was dismissed and replaced by Alberto van Klaveren, who was vice chancellor between 2006 and 2009.

New names were also designated for the Ministries of Public Works, Culture, Science and Sports.

The cabinet reshuffle comes two days after lawmakers rejected a tax package that was supposed to help with the social policies Boric advocated.

Finance Minister Mario Marcel stated that it would be difficult to transfer more resources for health services, saying that the increase that will increase pensions from $257 to $312 could not be financed without a fiscal review.

Having carried out a major cabinet reshuffle for the second time, Boric’s previous overhaul came in September 2022 after the new constitution was rejected by 62 percent of the electorate.

Support for Boric, 37, who took office two years ago as “the youngest head of state in the country,” shows a downward trend. (AA)