MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) — Bolivian President Evo Morales fired Minister of Defense Jorge Ledezma for wearing a jacket with a provocative slogan while delivering humanitarian aid to Chile, according to local media reports.
On Tuesday, Jorge Ledezma was noticed wearing clothing with the slogan “The sea is Bolivia's,” referring to a territorial dispute between Chile and Bolivia over access to the Pacific Ocean, during an aid delivery mission to victims of recent torrential rains in Chile.
"I apologize to the Government of Chile. We have never thought to use and have never used humanitarian and health-related issues for electoral and political purposes, or personal interests," Morales said as quoted by Bolivian media El Deber on Tuesday.
The president said that Ledezma's decision to wear the slogan was was his "personally" and does not represent the policy of the government.
Morales appointed Reymi Ferreira, representative of the ruling Movement for Socialism, as new Defense Minister.
The flood caused by the heaviest rains in 80 years resulted in civilian casualties in three regions of Chile — Atacama, Coquimbo and Antofagasta. According to Chilean Interior Minister Rodrigo Pinarello, over 5,500 people had to take refuge in shelters and more than 4,600 properties were damaged.
