Bolivia’s Congress has voted to censure Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza, but President Rodrigo Paz’s government has rejected the move as unconstitutional and indicated that it will challenge the decision before the country’s top Constitutional Tribunal.
Presidential spokesperson Jose Luis Galvez said Espinoza could begin legal proceedings as early as Wednesday, raising the possibility that the minister could remain in office while the constitutional dispute is reviewed.
The motion was approved by a majority of lawmakers after Espinoza failed to appear before Congress to answer questions about his handling of the economy, monetary policy and macroeconomic planning.
Espinoza explained that he had travelled to Santa Cruz to address diesel supply problems before continuing to Brazil. He later said he would seek a review of the censure decision, arguing that proper procedures may not have been followed.
Under Bolivia’s Constitution, President Paz has 24 hours to remove a minister who has been censured by Congress. However, the government maintains that Tuesday’s vote did not meet the constitutional threshold required for removal.
Galvez said the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority, or 111 votes out of Congress’ 166 members, for a minister to be censured. Only 91 lawmakers voted in favour of removing Espinoza.
“Any censure resolution issued based on these results is unconstitutional,” Galvez said, arguing that Congress’ internal rules cannot take precedence over constitutional requirements.
The dispute comes at a sensitive time for Paz’s administration, which is seeking congressional support for a series of economic reforms and a financing programme negotiated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in July.
The programme, which still requires approval from both Congress and the IMF Executive Board, is considered important to stabilising Bolivia’s economy and addressing persistent shortages of fuel and foreign currency.
Espinoza described the attempt to remove him as an example of “extreme” politicisation, while pointing to clashes between the government’s work agenda and lawmakers’ schedules.
He has served in Paz’s administration since it took office in November and has emerged as one of the key figures behind the government’s economic policies, including negotiations with international lenders.
In recent weeks, Espinoza has also faced criticism over the alleged purchase of an Audi vehicle at a declared price significantly below its market value. He denied wrongdoing, saying the discrepancy was caused by an error in the paperwork.
The political standoff could now add further uncertainty to Paz’s economic reform agenda as the Constitutional Tribunal considers whether Congress followed the requirements set out in the Constitution.
