Rodrigo Paz’s Merit-Based Cabinet: A Test for Bolivia Amid Economic Turmoil and Foreign Investment Promises

In a country rocked by economic instability that has spiraled since 2023, Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz has taken decisive action, appointing what he calls a "meritocratic" cabinet aimed at rapid crisis resolution. But beneath this well-intentioned veneer lies a familiar challenge: can an administration truly restore national pride and economic independence in the face of long-standing structural weaknesses and global financial pressures? Is Meritocracy Enough to Combat Bolivia's Economic Crisis? Paz’s emphasis on expertise—calling his ministers “men of knowledge” committed to serving the nation—is a welcome change from patronage politics. Yet the real test is whether this meritocracy will translate...