Bolivia’s Congress Says It Removed the Economy Minister. The Government Says the Vote Does Not Count
Bolivia · POLITICS Key Facts —The vote The Plurinational Legislative Assembly censured economy minister José Gabriel Espinoza on 18 August by 91 votes to 34 with 4 abstentions, of 129 legislators present in a 166-seat Assembly. —He is still in post The government says the censure is unconstitutional. As of 20 August the presidential spokesman […] The post Bolivia’s Congress Says It Removed the…
Bolivia's Congress censured the economy minister, José Gabriel Espinoza, on August 18, 2026, with 91 votes in favor, 34 against, and 4 abstentions. The government contests the constitutionality of the vote, arguing that censure requires two-thirds of the full legislature, not just those present. The Assembly contends that two-thirds applies to those voting, meaning Espinoza's removal should be valid.
Espinoza remains in his position, and the government claims the resolution unconstitutional. If the Constitutional Court rules in favor of the government, Espinoza could face a three-year ban on holding any ministry or leadership role in public institutions or state enterprises. The censure is also linked to a fuel price reduction, which could impact the economy further.
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