BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION OF BOLIVIAN MINISTERS

UNCLAS LA PAZ 001621 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON PGOV PINR PREL BL SUBJECT: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION OF BOLIVIAN MINISTERS ¶1. The June 10, 2007 edition of La Razn ran a background article on each of President Evo Morales' cabinet members and their socialist formation. Newly appointed Minister of Education Magdalena Caijas de la Vega was not included. What follows is a summary of that article. ¶2. JERJES MERCADO, Minister of Public Works: Born in Monte Hojas, approximately 50 kilometers outside of Santa Cruz, his father left the home before his first birthday. His mother's death when he was just 11 left him relatively alone. Doing a number of odd-jobs and working as newspaper salesman, he managed to support himself while attending school. While studying journalism at the Evangelical University in Santa Cruz, he obtained a scholarship to study in the Soviet Union. CELIMA TORRICO, Minister of Justice: Born in Chilijichi, in the Carrasco province of Cochabamba, she recalls assuming community responsibilities at a young age. Her political career began with her first union involvement against dictator Luis Garia Mesa. In 2000 she earned a BA in Popular Participation and took a position as Departmental Counselor of Cochabamba. WALKER SAN MIGUEL, Minister of Defense: Having grown up in La Paz, he recalls the fear incited by the various military coups. His childhood was punctuated by political events. When his parents were exiled, he was forced to give up his studies. In 1981, he returned to school and earned a law degree. Upon graduation he took a job at Bolivia's Central Bank, where he served a few years before attending the Diplomatic Academy. NILA HEREDIA, Minister of Health: Born in Uyuni, her family immigrated to La Paz when her father was fired from his railway job because of union ties. In La Paz, as she studied medical engineering at a public university, she became influenced by Che Guevara and joined the militant National Liberation Army (ELN). DAVID CHOQUEHUANCA, Minister of Foreign Relations and Cultures: Born in 1961 in the Altiplano community of Cota Cota Baja, he is familiar with Quechua and Aymara traditions, as well as the Baptist practices he inherited from his parents. In college he formed the Federation of Students. Under the influence of his philosophy professor, he began his political career. He went on to study political-economy in Cuba, but maintains he is neither a Marxist or Socialist. LUIS A. ECHAZU, Minister of Mining: Born in Sucre, his family moved to La Paz in the mid-1960s. He earned a degree in Metallic Engineering from a university in La Paz where he demonstrated leadership traits and became involved in politics. He was exiled in 1974 and again in 1978. He returned to Bolivia dedicated to intellectual and academic activities, especially those involving the iron and steel industry. GABRIEL LOZA, Minister of Planning and Development: Loza left Bolivia to study commercial engineering in Chile, but had to return because of the 1973 military coup. While in Chile he was exposed to youth socialist militants, which gave him leftist political orientations. He continued his studies in Venezuela, earning a masters in Business Administration. SUSANA RIVERO, Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture: Born in Trinidad on December 8, 1971, she attended catholic school. While attending law school she had to work to support her family. Nevertheless, she managed to graduate with honors. After school she worked at various organizations promoting human rights. Today she considers herself a "soldier of the revolution." ALFREDO RADA VELEZ, Minister of Government: Born in La Paz 41 years ago, his political career began when his Jesuit school became the victim of Luis Espinal's dictatorship. He fled to Chile, where he studied sociology and economics. In the 1980's he became a leftist militant. This process exposed him to rural and urban union movements. He served as president of the Institute for the Sovereignty of the People, an organization that had close ties to the MAS and which later brought him into the current government. URS