Castillo replaces Marin in Cabinet

When
Florencio Marin announced his resignation from Cabinet last month to take
over the chairmanship of the Corozal Free Zone it was a matter of some
speculation as to who, if anyone, would succeed him. Today the mystery
ended when government announced that veteran politician Valdemar Castillo
would get a seat at the big table as Minister of Sugar Industry, Labor
and Local Government. Castillo has served as representative for Corozal
North since 1979 and was Minister of Housing in the last People’s United
Party administration. He also serves as Deputy Speaker of the House, a
post he also held from 1979 to 1984. The Minister was sworn in this morning
by the Governor General and afterward told the Government Press Office
some of his plans for the sugar industry.

Valdemar Castillo, Min. of Sugar Ind., Labor and Local Gov.

“In respect to the Sugar Industry, we are going to do our very best to strengthen and upgrade the sugar industry and we’re also looking at the possibility of reactivating the Libertad Sugar Factory.”

There were some other changes in Cabinet assignments announced today. Dolores Balderamos Garcia adds Civil Society to her existing portfolios of Human Development and Women, while Jose Coye retains Health and Public Service. The responsibility for Latin American Affairs, formerly attached to Florencio Marin, now reverts to its original home in the Foreign Ministry.