Funes' cabinet
Whether El Salvador's new president Mauricio Funes will succeed in bringing positive change in the country, will partly depend on the competence of the people who come to lead the divisions of El Salvador's government as part of his cabinet. Our friends at Voices on the Border described a portion of the incoming cabinet:
You can read about the cabinet members and their qualifications on this page at El Faro's website.
I think it's hard not to be impressed with the Funes' cabinet selections. This is not an administration made up of FMLN party faithful whose only qualification is long service to the cause. While there are certainly FMLN stalwarts in the cabinet -- such as Manuel Melgar as Minister of Public Security and Salvador Sanchez Ceren as Minister of Education as well as Vice-President -- there are also highly qualified advisors taking posts in the Funes' administration, particularly in economic roles.
On May 26, President-elect Funes named the members of the Economic cabinet. Those announced were Héctor Dada Hirezi as minister of the Economy, Alex Segovia as Technical Secretary, Carlos Acevedo as president of the Central Reserve Bank and Carlos Cáceres as head of the Treasury department. The new Economic cabinet has thus far maintained that it would keep the dollar as El Salvador’s official currency, a topic that has been controversial among government officials and citizens since the dollar was introduced in 2001. Other plans include creating more economic transparency, a development bank within the Central Reserve Bank, and a mechanism to ensure that the large “informal sector” of the economy pays taxes.
Also announced by Funes and his advisors recently were Gerson Martínez as minister of Public Works, Manuel Sevilla as minister of Agriculture, Manuel Melgar as minister of Security, Victoria Marina de Avilés as minister of Labor, María Isabel Rodríguez as minister of Health, and José Napoléon Duarte (the son) as the minister of Tourism. News sources have reported that the president is considering Francisco Cáceres as Private Secretary and David Rivas as Communications Secretary. It has been reported as well that Vice President-elect Sánchez Cerén would be also serving as the Minister of Education (MINED). David Mungía Payés has been chosen to be the new minster of Defense. Cabinet announcements have already aroused controversy amongst FMLN party members, and it may be difficult for Funes to negotiate further choices with the FMLN base.
You can read about the cabinet members and their qualifications on this page at El Faro's website.
I think it's hard not to be impressed with the Funes' cabinet selections. This is not an administration made up of FMLN party faithful whose only qualification is long service to the cause. While there are certainly FMLN stalwarts in the cabinet -- such as Manuel Melgar as Minister of Public Security and Salvador Sanchez Ceren as Minister of Education as well as Vice-President -- there are also highly qualified advisors taking posts in the Funes' administration, particularly in economic roles.
Comments
You've posted the same very long, off-topic comment almost 20 times. I'm going to start deleting them. If you want to complain about CNN, start your own blog.
The Minister of Foreign Relations is another no body, and that goes for Gobernacion also. This is just party cronyism that takes a lot away from Funes and his persona. Nicolas Salume stays on at CEL and that's another wink wink job.
The problem, and we all now it, is that Funes has placed himself between a rock and a hard place. He needs all the luck he can get.
Jesus Rojas
El Paisnal
At least Funes has the experience as political commentator for the past 20-years, and he has interviewed enough qualified people to at least have an idea of what's going in.
Good luck Mauricio. And just wait till the main line FLML chusma begins demanding the impossible.
Me, I'm off to my aunties in Pasadena. Bye bye...
Clotilde de Paz
El Transito
Nonetheless, with Funes having announced exactly 13 new specific spending initiatives together exactly zero offsetting specific budget cuts, it is difficult to be hopeful for the future.
When I see careerist bureaucrats "experts" from the dirty incestuous little world of OAS/IDB/UN with little management practical experience as our new masters, I worry.
I hope you realize that the alternative that Funes has for his cabinete are people form the FMLN itself; sindicalistas and people from ANDEs with little experience in governance, and perhaps with a sixth grade education.
Let's start with the fact that Funes wasn't ever a part of FMLN, but rather he needed the Party in order to lance his candidacy, but the Party needed him even more.
It's abundantly clear that without Funes, the FMLN would never have made it past some alcaldias and a few congressional seats. Shafik Handal's electoral pounding at the hands of "Ei Turco" Saca was especially eye opening for all.
There's a lot to be seen, and so for now I'm simply an observer.
Jesus Rojas
Cayaguanca
Raise taxes on the coffee oligarchy to pay for the spending initiatives. If they don't like it, they can go back where they came from."
Ay Pedrito, about the only thing you know about coffeee is picking it at the "cortas" and bothering the younger women at the fincas during harvest time.
But I have a better idea for you for raising taxes. We can do what the Cuban government does with the "remesas" they get from Miami. The Castro Bros. take a 10%cut right off the top of any monies send to to Cubans from relatives in the U.S.A.
You know, Pedrito, that we have a lot of Salvadorans in the U.S.A. who routinely send money to their family members here in Salvador. So why doen't we do like the Cubans do, and get in on "remesas" windfall by collecting a 10% tax just like they do in Cuba.
That money would easily cover any initiative that Funes in implementing here in Salvador.
Luis Tapia
Nejapa
"When I see careerist bureaucrats "experts" from the dirty incestuous little world of OAS/IDB/UN with little management practical experience as our new masters, I worry."
You should have been worried a long time ago, when it became apparent that Saca was handing the presidency over to the FMLN on a silver platter.
Now your "new masters" are some unionist leaders, grammer school teachers, and a bunch of experienced killers and thieves who don't know the meaning of work, only the meaning of "take" at gun point.
Matilde y Pablo Rojas
El Transito
I thought the word "take" was what La Guardia Nacional used--at the point of a gun--to dispossess subsistence cultivators in the 1960s and 70s in order for Salvadoran agararian oligarchs to plant cotton and sugar cane...por ahi en Usulutan.
"Pedro Pablo Castillo de Meanguera said...
OK Luis, that's an idea, but the coffee oligarchy needs more of lesson of social responsibility taught to them--in my view--than do the USA immigrants sending back "remesas." Don't you think?"
Ay Pedrito, now what are you talking about: Teaching Social Responsibility, or Raising Taxes?
Your failed idea of picking on this or that sector of society isn't something new. That's what happened in Cuba when the "crema y nata" of Cuban society simply left and now have become an economic and political power in Southern Florida.
I'm glad you approve of the Cuban initiative of charging a 10% tax on the family "remesas" from the U.S.A. As you know, this is the priciple entry of hard currency to the country and it's a windfall the government should latch onto.
As for me, if this gets any worse I'll just go back to the United and make some good dolaritos.
Luis Tapia
Nejapa
Those who oppose progressive taxation (16th amendment to the US constitution) think it is unfairly targeting rich people, and therefore is unjust.
The polity of the country gets to decide that, not just the rich people. Are they leaving for China or India yet--oh I get it, they're putting their money in off-shore banks in the Carribean or Luxemburg?
Why should El Salvador's "rich" be any different? Or is it that you think, Luisito, that the rich are the only group unfairly "targeted" in "El Pais del Corazon"?
Matilde and Pablo,
I thought the word "take" was what La Guardia Nacional used--at the point of a gun--to dispossess subsistence cultivators in the 1960s and 70s in order for Salvadoran agararian oligarchs to plant cotton and sugar cane...por ahi en Usulutan." Why did I even come back!!!!
Matilde y Pablo Rojas
El Transito
This is a really crazy Post! Skimming over it, I can only surmise that the commentarist hasn't been in Salvador in a long long time.
Truth of the matter is that agriculture in Salvador has become non-existant, not even the ghosts of cotton and sugarcane plantations remain. The government is the principle landowner and those lands are basically abandoned and non productive.
Salvador went from a net exporter of foodstuffs to a net importer of even the basic food needs of the people. And since most people receive their monthy stipends from relatives here in the U.S.A., there aren't any workers left in Salvador.
If you happen to be unlucky enough to continue to struggle in agriculture in Salvador, at harvest time you'll need to bring workers from Honduras or Nicaragua, because workers in Salvbador have become more scarse than panties at a high school prom.
Excuse my lightheartedness on this very serious matter, but it's so sad that it's better to simply try and laugh it off.
If we can't find work around here in Usulutan anymore, we're lucky enough to have family in Bakersfield who wants us to go to the United.
When I remember the lush green seas of productive fields of Oriente, tears come to my eyes. Now there's nothing here, and my patrono left long ago for Belize where he plants cotton.
I need to raise $7000.00 Dolars thatis what the coyote charges me to take me to Bakerfield.
"Matilde and Pablo,
I thought the word "take" was what La Guardia Nacional used--at the point of a gun--to dispossess subsistence cultivators in the 1960s and 70s in order for Salvadoran agararian oligarchs to plant cotton and sugar cane...por ahi en Usulutan."
Ay Margarita, Margarita, Margarita. You still continue to harp of allegations and stories from 30 and 40 years ago. Time passes and if you don't believe me, look into the mirror. You need to get a life and join the twenty first century.
Matilde y Pablo Rojas
El Transito
Hey Luis,
Those who oppose progressive taxation (16th amendment to the US constitution) think it is unfairly targeting rich people, and therefore is unjust.
The polity of the country gets to decide that, not just the rich
people. Are they leaving for China or India yet--oh I get it, they're putting their money in off-shore banks in the Carribean or Luxemburg?
Why should El Salvador's "rich" be any different? Or is it that you think, Luisito, that the rich are the only group unfairly "targeted" in "El Pais del Corazon"?"
Clearly and beyond a doubt, the U.S.A. has the fairest and most equitable taxation program on the planet. People rush to come here to enjoy our rights and freedoms, you obviously are included in that group.
But if you are set on picking on any specific productive sector of society go right ahead and keep preaching it. Mauricio Funes isn't so foolish as to kill the chicken that lays the golden eggs. Once the entrepaneurs in Salvador decide to leave, you'll be left like the Cuban people who search garbage dumps both high and low for an inner tube to float over to Miami with. Refrigerators in Cuba are called "cocos" because when you open one, all you find is water.
Remember that the worst masochist is the poor guy who gets what he wished for. And also keep in mind the word "Create" and forget the word "Take." For your own welbeing hand health, put your envy and your inherent hatred to rest, if not all you'll get are bleeding ulcers.
Right now I'm enjoying "una cuahadita fresca con tortillitas bien calientitas." So, what Me worry... I read Madd.
Luis Tapia
Nejapa
I have my gringita there by McAllen, Texas waiting for me and so I could definitely care less. If Salvador gets really bad, only fools and undesirables will stay. And the poor country will become "eL cagadero de zopes."
Anacleto Crispin
El Delirio
If I were you, I wouldn't wait to go back to "yunais". I dont know what are you doing here at the first place if you are already whining.
as for Funes' cabinet. I gave ARENA 20 years opportunity, why wouldn't I give 5 to FMLN to do something. I think hes doing just fine
This happened...
"Salvador went from a net exporter of foodstuffs to a net importer of even the basic food needs of the people."
.....when Salvadoran oligarchs robbed people of their land for growing milpa, y frijoles, and tuned it over to beef cattle, cotton, and sugar cane in the 1960s and 70s, setting the stage for social upheavels of the 1980s.
Comprende compadre!
Tim, I know you dislike to moderate your blog, but please do stop these hijackings from continuing. At least force people to create multiple accounts if they want to turn your blog into a one man comedy troupe.
Your educational background is definitely lacking. Were you a student of "Leonel Gonzalez" in one of his backwater sixth grade classes?
Don't you just love it here in the good ole U.S. of A. with all the freedoms you can enjoy. No wonder the entire world wants to come on over here. I understand that in Cuba, you can't even find a float tube anywhere.
And tell me, are you in agreement with the new tax on the remitances from Salvadorans to their families back home? I think the idea is a fabulous one, and since it is currently in effect in Cuba, the FMLN whacko's can't say anything about it. Don't you just love it!
Carlos Ibarra
Sacramento
I'm sure the Post is talking about the banal crazy leftist loonies who inundate Tim's Blog with goofy fantasies and historical inaccuracies. These radicalized loonies appear to be propagandists on some radical payroll.
Personally, I read some of their clap trap rantings and just laugh.
Chente Altamira
Rosario de la Paz
Yo, Bakersfield!
This happened...
.....when Salvadoran oligarchs robbed people of their land for growing milpa, y frijoles, and tuned it over to beef cattle, cotton, and sugar cane in the 1960s and 70s, setting the stage for social upheavels of the 1980s.
Yo Feliciano! Welcome back, I thought they had hanged your sorry azz. Tell me, is "El Indio Aquino" there with you too?
Miguel Marmol
Tonacatepeque
Raise taxes on the coffee oligarchy to pay for the spending initiatives. If they don't like it, they can go back where they came from.
To the nut case Post above: And just where's that? I didn't know that coffee growers all came from a specific and unique place somewhere.
Interesting.
"So far, long-winded, and even loony, are not reasons for me to reject commemnts. The discourse hasn't been very enlightening, but we can survive that."
Tim's Blog:
Diversity is the very essence of the human spirit; a freedom loving spirit that communists have long tried to suppress and repress in all of it's forms and expressions.
It is this humanity that represents the difference between Tim's Blog, U.S.A., and a Tim's Blog, Havana, Cuba, or a Tim's Blog, Pyongyang.
Dolores de Paz
"If I were you, I wouldn't wait to go back to "yunais"
OK, but you're not me and I'm saving up the $5000.00 for the coyote. Or do you think I'm going to walk. I enjoy my comforts, OK, Buddy and my coyote takes me in a nice car all the way to the United. Get it?
now, and as for Funes, I don't know the guy but from what I've heard, he's the best thing to happen to Salvador since the advent of sliced bread.
Boy this is good cuajada!
Luis Tapia
Nejapa
Mauricio Funes seems to be following the same quotas system to hand out jobs among his FMLN henchmen, regardless of their qualifications, experience, educational and professional background, and direct personal competence.
Funes' quota system is clearly being dictated to him by the FMLN directorate. This becomes more and more obvious by the selection of incompetents for government posts, the likes of Sanchez Ceren, Melgar, Salume, Merino and so many others who feel they deserve a big slice of the pie.
Looking beyond all the hoopla, it soon becomes obvious that the more things seem to change, the more they remain the same.
Dolores de Paz
Pida a los que desciendieron de las indigenas del occidente de El Salvador si los cafetaleros capitalistas querian experimentar diversidad cultural, economico, social en 1932, cuando mataron hasta 30,000 indigenas y otros.
!Que Diversidad de Pensamiento!
Sus experiencias y recuerdos personales de hechos ocurridos hace mas de siete decadas son hechos historicos nada mas; hechos y relatos de abusos y matanzas las hay en cada civilizacion desde los principios de los tiempos.
Estoy seguro que al ir hurgando la historia de cualquier pais y seleccionando sucesos segun nuestras actuales conveniencias, definitivamente encontraremos razones de sobra para la envidia, el odio, y la sed the venganza que lleva en si cualquier desquiciado.
Sr. Sanchez, estamos en el siglo veintiuno, tenemos historia de sobra para justificar cualquier locura que nos convenga. La realidad es que el hombre es tan bueno como es malevolo, y nosotros debemos alentar y gozar de nuestras diferencias y nuestra diversidad cultural.
Si no es asi, entonces sigamos el camino de los desdichados cubanos que de cualquier manera tratan de abandonar su patria para hacerse gringos y engordarse con los famosos Big Mac.
Dolores de Paz
OK
Paco
En Cuba el gobierno dicta todo, desde el alpha hasta el omega y las pobres gentes unicamente les queda huir para los yunais.
Esos pobres solo se hartan pulpo y arroz, lo bueno queda reservador para los turistas extranjeros.
Buena suerte El Salvador, pues como ya lo pueden ir viendo, lo van a necesitar.
Lazaro en C.R.
"Ah, enlightenment! Tim, are we pursuing Nirvana here or some Positivist vision of the New World Order?"
Por sus comentarios, Socrates del Equipo Nacional, unicamente le puede server la cabeza para dar cabezasos. A ver si puede meter algun gol, aunque en verdad nosotros los Mejicanos somos la mama, y les vamos a dar una goleada de loco.
Pedro "Chamaco" Rodriguez
Tamaulipas
?Si tantas personas tienen tantas cosas, digamos en Mejico, o El Salvador, porque tambien se van hacia los yunai?
?Es puro gusto, o porque no tiene nada, tambien?
?Y mundialmente hablando, has vivido las bellezas de los paises del sur de africa, o aun en este hemisfero, en Haiti?
Este es de manera de comparacion, nada mas.
?Si tantas personas tienen tantas cosas, digamos en Mejico, o El Salvador, porque tambien se van hacia los yunai?
Y esto que tiene que ver? La cuestion aqui se trata de "libertad" simple y sencillamente. Pero en fin si quiere hablar solo por hablar, aqui le va:
Como es posible que usted no se da cuenta de lo obvio, que los paises mas pobres y sufridos de nuestra America son los pueblos de Cuba y Haiti. Haiti de por si es un pais sobrepoblado y pobre, pero Cuba fue llamada "La Perla de las Antillas"
Para su informacion, la gente de nuestros paises van y vienen para los yunais para ganarse unos dolaritos extra y comprarse mas COSAS. COSAS que pueden comprar y gozar juntos con sus familiares en plena libertad. La clave por supuesto es "Libertad"
En paises comunistas, como ejemplo, Cuba, la pobre gente no tienen la minima libertad y por lo contrario estan a las ordenes y disposicion del partido comunista y de sus secuases y chivatos.
Dan lastima los Cubanos que en ansias de libertad se lanzan al mar y para abandonar esa terrible represion comunista en tandalas.
Lo interesante en todo esto es que usted mismo, pudiendo irse a Cuba, pues aqui en Centro America tenemos la libertad para ir y venir a donde nos antoja, prefiere hablar tonteria y privarse de ese paraiso socialista.
Por lo visto, usted habla y habla y hable para confundir a los tontos, pero la verdad es que usted mismo no va. O es que simplemente no le antoja.
Lo importante es hacerse responsable uno mismo de su vida, y no simplemente culpar a los demas por su fracaso personal.
En Centro America el ejemplo jamas puede ser el infierno represivo como Cuba. Eso es una locura.
Creame o venga a visitarnos, Costa Rica esta muy por encima de todos y nuestra gente vive feliz. Lo logramos con inteligencia, trabajo, esfuerzo nacional, dinamismo y sobre todo con un orgullo patrio que no desea ser como nadie. Somos Ticos y somos libres en todo sentido. Libertad si, represion comunista no! Viva Costa Rica!
Lazaro desde CR
Simple y sincillamente, "libertad" de ejercer poder injustamente, como se ha hecho mucho en America Central, tal vez con la excepcion de Costa Rica, no es libertad, sino es tirania.
Asi que, se tuvo que luchar mucho en contra de esa tirania, en la historia del siglo XX. ?Si o no, Sr. Lazaro?
Es obvio por sus palabras que usted no conoce la Democracia como nosotros aqui en Costa Rica. Nosotros, los Ticos, somos el ejemplo natural para el resto de Centro America.
Reconocemos que esta ultima demostracion del cambio de poder pacifico en Salvador es un excelente comienzo y da muchas esperanzas.
La actuacion de ARENA fue ejemplar y de una gran madures politica de ese partido. Esperamos que el FMLN pueda tambien mostrarle al mundo su desea de libertad Democratica para su pais.
Hay todavia pocos paises en nuestra America bejo el yugo de las dictaduras y las represiones institucionalizadas. Cuba esclavizada es quizas el pais mas sufrido en nuestra America. Cuba con sus cadenas y Haiti con su pobreza son espantozos para nuestra America alegre y llena de esperanzas.
Un posible problema existe en que es de conocimiento general que el FMLN todavia guarda elementos de tiempos pasados que desean intalar una dictadura Castrista en Salvador. Ante esa amenaza, unicamente Funes esta entre ellos y sus deseos nefasos.
Por consiguiente, mucha suerte desde Costa Rica al
Sr. Mauricio Funes, creemos que lo va a necesitar. Y mucho!
Lazaro desde CR
"Asi que, se tuvo que luchar mucho en contra de esa tirania, en la historia del siglo XX. ?Si o no, Sr. Lazaro?"
Definitivamente que si, la lucha se lleva a cabo cada periodo persidencial. Se llama esta lucho, "electiones." Asi es como actuan la gente civilizada en una vibrantge Democracia, no...
From an american standpoint it is very easy to be pro FMLN, when I was in college, everyone I met that had gone to El Salvador was pro FMLN. That is beside´s my point.
AS I recognize that Funes has picked good cabinet members, others are a joke.
Coronel Martinez was denied a promotion three times by his colleagues! The US asked Funes not to name HIM because of his involvement in certain acts during the war.... so much for seeking to maintain relations with the US.
Gerson Martinez! Probably the wort pic Funes made. Great, now we have an accountant in charge of our transit system. I guess creative accounting is not something Funes wants to change from the Saca gov.
Funes said in his speech that last names were not going to mean anything, and that priviledges will be a thing of the past. I guess that doesn´t apply to you when your Dad was Funes´main campaign contributor and the Mason top dog, a mason just like Saca. Nicolás Salume is the only one who kept his job.
No need to comment on Salvador Sanchez Cerén.
Violet Menjivar! First buying commy dump trucks that do not work then leaving a multimillion dollar debt. Just the type of administration our Health System needs. Let´s hope Health Minister, María Isabel Rodríguez an keep her on a leash! Although I will admit, I think most of the FMLN cronies are corrupt idiots, but I do have faith in Dra. Rodríguez. We need more people like her to prevent polarization!
I say, cut off ALL aid to Salavador and kick-out all their illegal aliens here in our country.
Really, who cares is Salvador goes to hell in a handbasket, it's a worthless place that only exports thieves and other trash.
Personally, I don't care if I ever hear another word about that rat hole again. All that country costs me are tax dollars.
Coffee is a nasty habit that is even bad for you, and sugarcane we have more than we need in Hawaii and Lousianna. And we certainly don't need Savatrucha gangs here!
Let's round'm all up and ship them all back to their own dumpy country. There are decent immigrats from other places around the world who are begging to come here and that do deserve our charity. But definitely not these leaches from Salvador as we've all seen here.
Ah com'on on, don't blame Tim. The poor guy is just a gringo (check out his picture); he is what the terrorist commies referr to as a "useful fools. So give the guy a break and a little understanding, will ya.
American college kids are supposed to be rebellious and stupid. "Young, dumb and full of cum" But they they grow up and realize what it's all about, that there are a bunch of drooling and envious people out there who want to harm us simply becuase they and envious or out God given way of life, and they can't stand it.