Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06QUITO674
2006-03-17 21:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Quito
Cable title:
VEGA NAMED NEW MINISTER OF GOVERNMENT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHQT #0674 0762139 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 172139Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY QUITO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3902 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 5480 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 1649 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAR 9741 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 0450 RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL PRIORITY 0147 RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
UNCLAS QUITO 000674
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR EC
SUBJECT: VEGA NAMED NEW MINISTER OF GOVERNMENT
UNCLAS QUITO 000674
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR EC
SUBJECT: VEGA NAMED NEW MINISTER OF GOVERNMENT
1. (U) Summary: Felipe Vega de La Cuadra was announced as
the next Minister of Government and will be sworn in on March
20, becoming President Palacio's fifth Minister of
Government. Vega replaces Alfredo Castillo in the volatile
position, after Castillo submitted his resignation amid
anti-FTA protests on March 15. The leftist Castillo had
largely become marginalized after taking public positions out
of sync with other Cabinet members. As Vice Minister, Vega
played a prominent role, including in negotiations with
striking provinces demanding money from the central
government. We are encouraged by the change, which removes
the main FTA critic in the Cabinet and promotes Vega, a much
more capable political negotiator and strategist. End
Summary.
2. (U) Vega, 45, was named presidential secretary in
September 2005, and then Vice Foreign Minister in January
2006, coinciding with Castillo's naming. A native of the
southern highland city of Cuenca, Vega studied Civil
Engineering and Philosophy at the University of Cuenca. He
also studied psychology at Loja's Technical University.
Previous positions include: Cultural Director for the city
of Cuenca, Director of Tourism (Santa Cruz, Galapagos),
advisor to Congress, governor of Azuay province, Director of
the Mariscal Sucre Political and Social Science Institute,
and Director and Executive President of Pacifictel.
Comment
--------------
3. (SBU) Vega was named Vice Minister by Palacio to keep the
leftist Castillo from crossing policy lines on the FTA or
other USG interests and be the "adult" in the Ministry.
Castillo quickly proved to be out of step with the
administration, and was frequently contradicted by other
Cabinet members. His final transgression was to encourage
anti-FTA protesters, violating Palacio's private assurances
Castillo would have no role in the issue. Thankfully, the
Vega transition will probably not involve staff changes,
preserving good cooperation from Ministry staff against
trafficking in persons.
JEWELL
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR EC
SUBJECT: VEGA NAMED NEW MINISTER OF GOVERNMENT
1. (U) Summary: Felipe Vega de La Cuadra was announced as
the next Minister of Government and will be sworn in on March
20, becoming President Palacio's fifth Minister of
Government. Vega replaces Alfredo Castillo in the volatile
position, after Castillo submitted his resignation amid
anti-FTA protests on March 15. The leftist Castillo had
largely become marginalized after taking public positions out
of sync with other Cabinet members. As Vice Minister, Vega
played a prominent role, including in negotiations with
striking provinces demanding money from the central
government. We are encouraged by the change, which removes
the main FTA critic in the Cabinet and promotes Vega, a much
more capable political negotiator and strategist. End
Summary.
2. (U) Vega, 45, was named presidential secretary in
September 2005, and then Vice Foreign Minister in January
2006, coinciding with Castillo's naming. A native of the
southern highland city of Cuenca, Vega studied Civil
Engineering and Philosophy at the University of Cuenca. He
also studied psychology at Loja's Technical University.
Previous positions include: Cultural Director for the city
of Cuenca, Director of Tourism (Santa Cruz, Galapagos),
advisor to Congress, governor of Azuay province, Director of
the Mariscal Sucre Political and Social Science Institute,
and Director and Executive President of Pacifictel.
Comment
--------------
3. (SBU) Vega was named Vice Minister by Palacio to keep the
leftist Castillo from crossing policy lines on the FTA or
other USG interests and be the "adult" in the Ministry.
Castillo quickly proved to be out of step with the
administration, and was frequently contradicted by other
Cabinet members. His final transgression was to encourage
anti-FTA protesters, violating Palacio's private assurances
Castillo would have no role in the issue. Thankfully, the
Vega transition will probably not involve staff changes,
preserving good cooperation from Ministry staff against
trafficking in persons.
JEWELL