President Guillermo Lasso makes new govt appointments

• President Guillermo Lasso replaced a number of officials.
• Lawyer and former politician Henry Cucalon was chosen as the next Government Minister.
• Reforms that would have reduced the number of legislators were rejected.

Following his defeat in referendums on extradition for organized crime and other issues over the weekend, Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso replaced a number of officials on Thursday as part of cabinet reforms.

To replace Francisco Jimenez, who quit earlier in the day, Lasso, a conservative ex-banker, chose lawyer and former politician Henry Cucalon as the next Government Minister.

In the Presidency’s Legal Office, Public Administration Office, and Office for Development of Peoples and Nationalities, Lasso also took the place of the secretaries.

Additionally, he chose new delegates for four of the nation’s provinces.

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Following a referendum result on Sunday in which the majority of Ecuadoreans rejected proposals to permit extradition for offenses including the trafficking of narcotics and firearms among other things, changes to Lasso’s administration have been made.

Reforms that would have reduced the number of legislators in the 137-seat assembly and given the attorney general’s office more discretion in selecting prosecutors were also rejected.

Lasso, who assumed office in May 2021, remarked at the swearing-in of the new officials, “Today the government makes necessary changes not only to refresh its direction but to ratify its commitment to the will of the people.”

On Monday, Lasso urged Ecuador’s numerous political groups to come together for the good of the nation; this demand was opposed by a number of opposition political parties and social movements.

“When the people speak, it is the duty of leaders to learn and listen, analyze, understand and above all act,” Lasso said, adding that he will strengthen his projects to benefit the Andean country.

Aparicio Caicedo, a Lasso friend and government adviser, also announced his resignation on Thursday, but Lasso did not identify a replacement.

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