Peru leader reshuffles Cabinet for third time in six months
ABC News
Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has reshuffled his Cabinet again, making the third overhaul in his first six months in office amid criticism over his handling of issues like the fight against corruption
LIMA, Peru -- Peruvian President Pedro Castillo reshuffled his Cabinet again Tuesday, making the third overhaul in his first six months in office amid criticism over his handling of issues like the fight against corruption.
Castillo replaced half of the 18 Cabinet members, including the prime minister and the ministers of finance, foreign relations and the environment as his administration deals with political sniping as well as an environmental disaster from an oil spill on Peru's Pacific coast.
Considered the first peasant to become president of Peru, Castillo came to power in July promising to be a champion of the poor and to improve education, health care and other services, but he has struggled to find support from some political groups, including the ones represented in the Congress.
The latest political turmoil began Friday when Interior Minister Avelino Guillén resigned, saying the president had not supported him to make changes in the police so authorities could more efficiently fight corruption and organized crime.