The News
Tuesday 23 of April 2024

EPN announces cabinet changes


TNE-DF_2016-02-09_01-2
TNE-DF_2016-02-09_01-2

New Health Sec’y José Narro (2-L), new Pemex director José Antonio González (C) and new IMSS director Mikel Arriola (R). Pres. names new officials for health, oil and social security

BY JORGE CHAPARRO

The News

MEXICO CITY – President Enrique Peña Nieto made several adjustments to his legal and expanded cabinet. In total, there were three changes in the circle of contributors to the federal government: the head of the Health Secretary, Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS).

In a statement released at the Adolfo López Mateos room of the Los Pinos presidential residence, Peña Nieto said that Health Secretary Mercedes Juan López will step down and be replaced by former National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Rector José Narro Robles.

“I have instructed Narro Robles to continue the efforts to expand health care coverage,” said Peña Nieto.

Another change announced is that of Pemex Director Emilio Lozoya Austin, who will leave office and be replaced by José Antonio González Anaya, who until Monday was general director of the IMSS.

“He will have to accelerate the transformation of Pemex in order to maximize the opportunities offered by the energy reform,” said the president.

Mikel Arriola Peñalosa, who leaves the office of Federal Commissioner for Sanitary Risk Prevention, will assume the direction of the IMSS. His office at the Commission for Sanitary Risk Prevention (Cofepris) will remain vacant for the moment.

“He will have to continue the financial strengthening of this important institution and accelerate the process of simplification procedures,” said Peña Nieto.

Narro Robles will be sworn in by Interior Secretary Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong; González Anaya will be sworn in by Energy Secretary Pedro Joaquín Coldwell; and Arriola Peñalosa will be sworn in by new Health Secretary Narro Robles.