Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Bolivia Lawmakers Remove Economy Minister, Setback for President Paz
Bolivia’s lawmakers voted to remove Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza.
They wanted him to answer questions about how the government was managing the economy.
Espinoza did not attend because he said he was dealing with diesel supply problems in Santa Cruz.
He later said the decision was extremely political.
He also said some procedures may not have been followed and planned to ask a constitutional tribunal to review it.
The decision is a setback for President Rodrigo Paz.
Paz is seeking support for economic reforms and a financing program from the International Monetary Fund.
That program is meant to help stabilize the economy and reduce shortages of fuel and foreign currency.
Espinoza has also faced criticism over the declared price of an Audi, which he called a paperwork error.
Bolivia’s Congress voted by majority to censure Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza, forcing his removal from office.
The vote followed Espinoza’s failure to appear before lawmakers to answer questions about economic management, monetary policy and macroeconomic planning.
Espinoza said he missed the session because he was addressing diesel supply problems in Santa Cruz before traveling to Brazil.
Espinoza said he would ask Bolivia’s top constitutional tribunal to review the decision, arguing that procedures may have been violated.
The removal complicates President Rodrigo Paz’s efforts to secure support for economic reforms and an International Monetary Fund financing program.
- Who
- Bolivia’s Congress, Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza and President Rodrigo Paz.
- What
- Congress censured Espinoza, forcing his removal as economy minister.
- When
- Tuesday, August 18.
- Where
- The vote took place in Bolivia; Espinoza said he traveled to Santa Cruz before heading to Brazil.
- Why
- Lawmakers acted after Espinoza failed to appear to answer questions about economic management, monetary policy and macroeconomic planning.
Lawmakers’ Position
Espinoza’s Position
Reason for the censure
Lawmakers’ Position
Lawmakers backed the motion after Espinoza failed to appear before Congress to answer questions about economic management, monetary policy and macroeconomic planning.
Espinoza’s Position
Espinoza said he had to address diesel supply problems in Santa Cruz before traveling to Brazil, and cited clashes between the government’s work agenda and lawmakers’ timelines.
Validity of the decision
Lawmakers’ Position
Congress approved the censure by majority vote, and the constitutional process gives the president 24 hours to remove the minister.
Espinoza’s Position
Espinoza said the dismissal was extremely politicized and planned to ask the top constitutional tribunal to examine whether procedures were violated.
- Minister removed
- Jose Gabriel Espinoza was censured by a majority vote and forced out of office.
- Constitutional deadline
- Under Bolivia’s constitution, President Rodrigo Paz has 24 hours to remove the minister from office.
- Espinoza’s challenge
- Espinoza said he would ask Bolivia’s top constitutional tribunal to review the decision, citing possible procedural violations.
- Economic agenda
- Paz’s government is seeking congressional backing for economic reforms.
- IMF financing
- A financing program negotiated with the International Monetary Fund in July still requires approval from Bolivia’s Congress and the IMF Executive Board.
- Program objective
- The program is viewed as important for stabilizing the economy and easing shortages of fuel and foreign currency.
- Additional criticism
- Espinoza faced scrutiny over an Audi declared at a price allegedly below market value and attributed the discrepancy to a paperwork error.