Bolivian President Dismisses Economy Minister Amid Legislative Censure
Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz has removed Economy and Public Finance Minister José Gabriel Espinoza from his position, following a censure by the Legislative Assembly. The dismissal was formalized on August 21, 2026, via a decree published in the government’s official gazette.
The censure vote, which took place on August 18, 2026, saw 91 of the 129 legislators present voting in favor of censuring Espinoza for failing to attend an interpellation session regarding the government's economic policies. The vote was controversial, as the government's legal advisors argued that it did not meet the constitutional requirement of two-thirds of all 166 members of the assembly, which would be 111 votes.
Despite the government's intent to challenge the censure at the Constitutional Tribunal, President Paz proceeded with Espinoza's removal. Óscar Mario Justiniano Pinto, previously the Minister of Production Sostenable, Environment and Water, has been appointed as the interim Economy Minister. No timeline has been provided for appointing a permanent successor.
Espinoza has criticized the censure as a result of “extreme politicization” and plans to appeal the decision to Bolivia's top constitutional court. The government maintains that the censure was unconstitutional and has expressed its intention to contest the legislative decision.