Peru considers reducing the number of government ministries

The Peruvian government is considering a reduction in the number of ministries as part of a potential state reform. Minister of Economy and Finance Elmer Cuba confirmed that the possibility of subsuming two or three small ministries into larger ones is on the government's agenda, though he noted that the Ministry of Economy and Finance has not yet issued a formal opinion and that the measure is not currently an urgent priority compared to issues like the El Niño phenomenon and the Petroperú crisis.

Legislator Roxana Rocha expressed support for a progressive reduction of ministries, provided the move is based on technical analysis and a review of operating expenses. She suggested that certain portfolios, such as the Ministry of Environment or the Ministry of Women, could be integrated into other sectors like Energy and Mines or Social Inclusion. Rocha emphasized that austerity measures should focus on reducing unnecessary spending on consultancies, travel, and advisory services rather than cutting jobs, aiming instead to redirect public resources toward health, education, and water services.