Bolivia’s hydrocarbons minister resigns

LA PAZ, Bolivia – The minister leading Bolivia’s efforts to nationalize Bolivia’s oil and gas operations resigned Friday after his government backed down in a dispute with Brazil’s state-run energy company, the industry’s biggest investor.

Andres Soliz stepped down a day after Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera said Bolivia was suspending a measure

Brazil’s state-run oil giant Petrobras had responded angrily to the decree by Soliz, with its chief executive Sergio Gabrielli canceling a trip to Bolivia for high-level meetings aimed at resolving the escalating dispute.

The resignation was seen as a blow to leftist President Evo Morales’ ambitious plan to take over Bolivia’s natural gas and oil industry.

AP