LatinNews Daily - 26 August 2026

*Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has appointed Christian Morales as the new economy and finance minister. The role had been held on an interim basis since 21 August by the productive development minister, Oscar Mario Justiniano, after congress approved a motion of censure against his predecessor, José Gabriel Espinoza (2025-2026), due to his failure to attend a congressional summons on 18 August. At his swearing-in ceremony yesterday, Morales pledged to continue Espinoza’s work, highlighting “important progress that we must consolidate and an economic transformation that needs to continue”. He said that “we will continue with the measures that have been implemented and will intensify those which are delivering results,” adding that “our commitment will be to preserving stability, strengthening the public finances, generating investor confidence, production, and employment, and continuing to rebuild trust in our economy”. Paz, meanwhile, said that negotiations are underway which could deliver US$7-10bn in finance and investment, although he provided no further detail. He also said that Morales would advance the government’s decentralisation plans.