Bolivia ushers in new hydrocarbons team

Bolivia's center-right interim president Jeanine Anez named a new hydrocarbons minister as part of a "technical" cabinet meant to tide the country over until new elections take place next year.

Former senator Victor Hugo Zamora Castedo took the helm of the hydrocarbons sector, in place of Luis Alberto Sanchez who was named by leftist former president in exile Evo Morales.

Among Zamora's first challenges is stabilization of natural gas production and exports that have been partially affected by pro-Morales protests.

After Zamora and other new cabinet members were sworn in late yesterday, Anez said she would request a report on fuel shortages from state-owned hydrocarbons company YPFB.

A new president of YPFB is expected to be named today, furthering the ouster of Morales appointees. Among YPFB's priorities will be to reassure Brazil and Argentina on pipeline gas supply, which accounts for most of Bolivia's foreign earnings.

New economy minister Jose Luis Parada said he would not make structural changes but would encourage foreign investment and ease export restrictions, which impacted the agroindustrial sector for the past decade.

Among the incumbent foreign oil companies that are monitoring developments are European firms Repsol, Total and Shell, and Russia's Gazprom. All have said their operations have not been significantly affected by the unrest.

Morales, who fled to Mexico after resigning on 10 November, claims that he was the victim of a coup. Outside Bolivia, the US, UK and Russia have recognized Anez, although Moscow still says a coup took place. Cuba, Argentina, Venezuela and Mexico, among other countries in the region, support Evo and have not recognized Anez. Brazil and Colombia have recognized her.

Morales, who had been the president of Bolivia since 2006, claimed victory in a 20 October election that the Washington-based Organization of American States (OAS) has deemed to be fraudulent.

By Patricia Garip