Waldir Ayasta assumed the position of Minister of Energy and Mines on Monday, following the resignation of Ángelo Alfaro. The ceremony took place at the Government Palace, where President José María Balcázar swore in the new head of the ministry, marking his entry as the second minister in Luis Arroyo’s cabinet.
Ayasta, a professional electrical engineer, has experience in the Ministry of Energy and Mines, having served as Deputy Minister of Electricity from April to May 2025. Since the beginning of this year, he has been working as the corporate manager of Planning and Investment Projects at Electronortemedio S.A.
Alfaro’s resignation, who took office on February 24, occurred amid allegations of sexual abuse involving a 16-year-old minor, with whom he had a child in 2000. The President of the Council of Ministers, Luis Arroyo, confirmed that the resignation was accepted and dismissed concerns that it would affect the stability of the cabinet.
For his part, Alfaro defended his innocence, asserting that his only fault was falling in love and that the allegations were politically motivated. This cabinet change comes at a crucial time for the country’s energy sector, which faces various challenges, including the recent news about the improvement of solar panels through onion peels, an important finding for energy sustainability.
