Fernando Vásquez Arnez

Fernando Iván Vásquez Arnez (born 24 May 1962) is a Bolivian engineer and politician who served as Minister of Mining and Metallurgy for less than one month from 8 May to 30 May 2020 during the interim government of Jeanine Añez.[1]

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Vásquez and the second or maternal family name is Arnez.

Fernando Vásquez Arnez
Minister of Mining and Metallurgy
In office
8 May 2020 – 30 May 2020
PresidentJeanine Añez
Preceded byCarlos Huallpa
Succeeded byJorge Oropeza Terán
Personal details
Born
Fernando Iván Vásquez Arnez

(1962-05-24) 24 May 1962
Catavi, Bolivia
EducationUniversity of São Paulo

Biography

Fernando Vásquez Arnez was born on 24 May 1962 in Catavi, now party of the town of Llallagua. In 1986, he graduated with a degree in engineering from the University of São Paulo in Brazil.[1]

Returning to Bolivia, Vásquez worked in mining for the Hanaer and Sinchi Wayra mining companies as well as in the Federation of Gold Mining Cooperatives of the North of the department of La Paz and in the Swiss Technical Cooperation, among others.[2] Vásquez also served in the Ministry of Mining as director of the Environment and Public Consultation during the service of Luis Alberto Echazú and José Pimentel Castillo.[2]

Ministerial career

On 3 December 2019, Minister of Mining Carlos Huallpa appointed Vásquez as the Deputy Minister of Metallurgical Mining Productive Development.[3][4] He held the position until 8 May 2020 when he replaced Hullpa as Minister of Mining following Huallpa's resignation.[1]

Minister of Mining and Metallurgy

Not long after his appointment, on 29 May, Vásquez denied ties to the Movement for Socialism (MAS). This was due to his several years of work with the Echazú and later Pimentel ministries, both members of MAS, during the government of Evo Morales. Vásquez defended himself claiming that he did not meet the requirements to be a member of MAS because "to be a Masista there are some specifications, including identity; I (Vásquez) have green eyes, a little curly, [...] I am white, I do not want to discriminate, but I think that my conditions do not make me compatible with the rest of the people of the Movement for Socialism."[2] As a result of this statement, President Jeanine Añez dismissed Vásquez the following day, siting his "racist expressions." As a result Vásquez's term was terminated on 30 May, having held office for just 22 days.[5]

References
  1. "AJAM". www.autoridadminera.gob.bo. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  2. "Ministro Vásquez niega vínculo con el MAS y alega: 'tengo ojos verdes, (soy) un poco crespo... soy blanco'". La Razón | Noticias de Bolivia y el Mundo. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  3. "Posesionaron a nuevas autoridades". m.eldiario.net (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  4. "AJAM". www.autoridadminera.gob.bo. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  5. "Áñez destituye al ministro Vásquez por sus declaraciones racistas". La Razón | Noticias de Bolivia y el Mundo. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
Political offices
Preceded by
Carlos Huallpa		 Minister of Mining and Metallurgy
2019-2020		 Succeeded by
Jorge Oropeza Terán
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