Bolivian cultural sector warns of risks following ministry elimination

The restructuring of the Bolivian government, which eliminates the Ministry of Cultures and Tourism and moves cultural management to a viceministry, has drawn criticism from sector experts and workers. Former Deputy Minister of Cultures Andrés Zaratti warned of a ‘high risk’ to cultural management, suggesting that culture may be sidelined in favor of tourism under a single leadership structure.

Zaratti argued that cultural manifestations possess social, symbolic, and economic dimensions that extend beyond their appeal to visitors. He noted that cultural and creative economies generate significant activity independently of tourism, citing the Gran Poder festival as an example that mobilizes approximately $120 million within its own value chain.

Cultural managers and artists are also demanding the restoration of a dedicated Ministry of Cultures to ensure the continuity of state-administered programs and economic resources. Cultural manager Pamela Sotelo described the decision as a setback for a sector that supports roughly 600,000 direct and indirect jobs. Advocates are calling for transparency regarding the transfer of competencies and the impact on public officials, emphasizing that cultural rights are constitutionally protected.