Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos concluded a reshuffle of his cabinet, changing six of its 16 ministers as he battles slumping approval ratings. In one major change halfway through the president's four-year mandate, Santos appointed lawyer Fernando Carrillo as his new interior minister, replacing Federico Renjifo, who was named mines and energy minister. Renjifo's post is critical in Colombia, which has becomes Latin America's fourth-largest oil producer. He replaces Mauricio Cardenas, who has been tapped to lead the Finance Ministry. Santos also appointed Cecilia Alvarez-Correa as the new transport minister, while economist Alejandro Gaviria took up health and Juan Gabriel Uribe got the environment. Of the 16 ministries, five were entrusted to women, including the Foreign Ministry, where Maria Angela Holguin stayed on as the country's chief diplomat. Santos also denied the resignation of Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon, who will continue to serve in the administration. In setting his new cabinet, Santos created a post with ministerial rank to engage in "exploratory discussions" with leftist FARC rebels to lay the groundwork for a full-fledged peace process. He has appointed former Bogota mayor Luis Eduardo Garzon as his pointman for the talks. Santos, who took office in August 2010, had a 70 percent approval rating a year ago, but that figure has plummeted to 45 percent.
GMT 18:06 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
10 migrants dead, dozens missing off Libya coastGMT 22:05 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
US says airstrike kills 2 militants in SomaliaGMT 18:56 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Philippines prohibits US firm call center from expanding after deadly fireGMT 17:03 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Severe storm batters western Europe; 1 dead, 15 injuredGMT 16:32 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Palestinian shot dead in West Bank clashes with Israeli army: ministryGMT 11:49 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Russian helicopter crashes in Syria, two dead: MoscowGMT 17:22 2017 Thursday ,28 December
10 hurt in Saint Petersburg supermarket bombingGMT 17:49 2017 Wednesday ,27 December
Blast in Saint Petersburg injures four, say officials
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor