Bolivian government decrees elimination of Planning and Tourism ministries

The Bolivian government, under President Rodrigo Paz, has officially eliminated two ministries, Planning and Sustainable Tourism, through a presidential decree issued on Friday, August 15, 2026. The reform reduces the total number of ministries from 14 to 12, marking a major restructuring of the executive branch. The decree, numbered 5675, consists of 134 articles, seven additional provisions, and nine transitional measures. It outlines new responsibilities for the president, vice president, ministers, and deputy ministers, while establishing general rules governing organization, coordination, direction, delegation, and accountability within the ministry framework. Among the key changes, the Ministry of Planning and Development, along with the Ministry of Sustainable Tourism, Culture, Folklore, and Gastronomy, have been abolished. Instead, the latter’s functions will be integrated into the Ministry of Foreign Relations through the creation of the Vice-Ministry of Sustainable Tourism and Cultures. This move aligns with earlier announcements by President Paz, who had proposed the establishment of a National Agency for Tourism, Folklore, and Gastronomy. However, the final decree reveals that this agency will instead operate under the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The decree also reorganizes several other ministries. For instance, the Ministry of Productive Development, Rural Areas, and Water is renamed the Ministry of Sustainable Production, Environment, and Water. Within the Ministry of Interior, the Deputy Ministry of Social Defense and Controlled Substances has been restructured as the Integrated Fight Against Drug Trafficking. Additionally, four deputy ministries previously under the Planning and Development Ministry have been redistributed among existing ministries, with two transitioning to directorates. Other entities formerly under decentralized control, such as the National Symphony Orchestra, the Center for Archaeological, Anthropological, and Urban Management Research of the Pre-Hispanic City of Tiwanaku, and the Bolivian Cinema and Audiovisual Development Agency (Adecine), have come under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. These entities were previously managed independently but are now subject to oversight by the foreign ministry. President Paz has introduced the concept of “presidential delegates,” individuals appointed to coordinate, articulate, monitor, and evaluate national policies, strategies, programs, projects, or initiatives requiring specialized representation or management. According to the decree, these delegates must not replace or duplicate the roles of ministers, and their appointment, scope, duration, coordination mechanisms, and reporting procedures will be defined through subsequent decrees. The decree emphasizes principles guiding public servant management, including modernization, streamlining, and digital transformation of the executive branch. It sets the foundation for improving efficiency and transparency in state operations. The document also establishes general guidelines for organizational structure and responsibility distribution among government bodies. This restructuring reflects broader efforts to centralize authority and enhance administrative coherence. By integrating certain functions into larger ministries and introducing new governance structures, the administration aims to improve policy execution and resource allocation. The reforms have sparked discussions among political analysts and officials regarding their potential impact on bureaucratic efficiency and inter-ministerial collaboration. As the implementation proceeds, further adjustments and clarifications are likely to emerge.