Heine Comments on Chilean Cabinet Changes
In an interview with Latin America Advisor, Jorge Heine, Research Professor at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies and Interim Director of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, discussed Chilean President Gabriel Boric’s recent changes to his cabinet.
Heine observed that this cabinet reshuffle did not include sweeping changes across all departments, only remarking on one major restructuring: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Not only was the Minister, Antonia Urrejola, replaced, but also both deputy ministers, indicating Boric’s commitment to overhauling the department’s current strategy. Heine offered some rationale behind the replacement, listing the Ministry’s previous issues such as “diplomatic faux pas, questionable ambassadorial appointments (some of which had to be withdrawn) and intergovernmental, publicly aired differences on whether Chile should ratify the CPTPP trade deal” as possible reasons for replacement.
Heine also expounded on the potential implications of Alberto Van Klaveren’s appointment as the new minister. Van Klaveren is a well-established bureaucrat in foreign affairs, previously serving as Chile’s Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Heine believes that his appointment solidifies Boric’s approach to relying on experienced, long-serving officials to support Chile’s national interests.
Read the full interview here.
Ambassador Jorge Heine is a Research Professor at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. He has served as ambassador of Chile to China (2014-2017), to India (2003-2007), and to South Africa (1994-1999), and as a Cabinet Minister in the Chilean Government. Read more about Ambassador Heine on his Pardee School faculty profile.