Minister Perez Returns to Cabinet Amidst Controversy, Colleague Voices Support

Amidst the reshuffling of Cabinet portfolios, last week was the announcement that Minister Andre Perez would be returning as Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management. Perez’s return comes after a leave of absence taken last year amidst allegations of sexual misconduct. Today, his Cabinet colleague, Anthony Mahler weighed in on Perez’s return saying that he is okay with the decision to bring him back. 

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations: “Minister Perez and I share a very close relationship in Cabinet and outside. I go to San Pedro and we strategize, we have some major projects on the way for improving the product in San Pedro and we’ll begin to launch those projects but there has been no formal report or anything like that and I support the decision by the Prime Minister to bring back Minister Perez to the Cabinet.”

In the reshuffling, Perez was given the responsibility for the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the National Fire Service. Meanwhile, the portfolio for Civil Aviation remained with Prime Minister John Briceno.