MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

More changes anticipated in Ecuador’s cabinet and military commands

President Rafael Correa wants a new start for the next three years

Ecuador president Rafael Correa announced changes in the military command and further cabinet reshuffling as part of the restructuring of his administration’s team for the next three years.

Last month Correa requested the resignation of his cabinet and top officials following an assessment of its collaborators and the advances in crucial projects under their responsibility.

Changes in the top brass fall within established military rules since they can only hold to the main posts for a maximum period of two years.

“The new commander of the Joint Staff will be General Ernesto Gonzalez, currently head of the Army”, said Correa, who did not anticipate any further names.

Art the beginning of April Correa changed nine ministers and other high official among which those responsible for the coordination of Economic Policies and Strategic Sectors, key areas for the development of finance, telecommunications and oil.

“Nobody said the changes were over. Next Wednesday we’ll see some more”, said Correa during an interview on television.

Correa also announced that there would be “new focus” on oil derivates’ subsidies, particularly cooking gas, “which it turns our favour mostly the rich. For example of the 600 million USD subsidies spent annually a significant percentage benefits the higher brackets”.

However according to Ecuadorean political analysts energy subsidies is one of the country’s public opinion most sensitive issues and “reshuffling ministers is one thing but reshuffling subsidies is another; no recent Ecuadorean president has survived the political consequences of addressing the issue”.