Verónica Ramos

Ana Verónica Ramos Morales is a Bolivian economist, university professor, and former general manager of the Productive Development Bank [es] (BDP). She was the Minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy of Bolivia [es] from January 2015 to January 2017, during the third government of President Evo Morales.

Verónica Ramos
Minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy of Bolivia [es]
In office 22 January 2015 – 22 January 2017
President	Evo Morales
Preceded by	Ana Teresa Morales
Succeeded by	Eugenio Rojas
Personal details
Born	Ana Verónica Ramos Morales La Paz, Bolivia
Political party	Movement for Socialism
Parent	Pablo Ramos (father)
Alma mater	Higher University of San Andrés
Occupation	Economist, professor, politician

Biography

Verónica Ramos was born in La Paz, the daughter of the renowned economist, writer and former prefect of La Paz Department, Pablo Ramos.^[1] In 1983, she entered the Faculty of Economics of the Higher University of San Andrés (UMSA), graduating with a licentiate in economics in 1988.^[2]

In 1994, she earned a master's in agricultural development (CIDES-UMSA), and in 2008 she earned a doctorate in social economy (CEE-UMSA).^[2]

She also participated in several research projects of different institutions related to the field of economics. Before becoming a government minister, she held the position of general manager of the BDP [es] from 2012 to 2014.^[2]

Minister of Productive Development (2015–2017)

On 22 January 2015, President Evo Morales appointed Verónica Ramos as the country's new Minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy [es], replacing Ana Teresa Morales.^[3]

In May 2015, bakeries in La Paz and El Alto began a cessation of activities, paralyzing the distribution of bread and causing a confrontation over its shortage at the headquarters of the Bolivian government. Minister Ramos maintained that the strike was unjustified since the bakers' objective was to raise the price of bread to 50 centavos per unit. During the dispute, her ministry's Food Production Support Company (EMAPA) sold bread to citizens at 40 centavos per unit. This was prepared by soldiers from military units by order of the Ministry of Defense [es].^[4] EMAPA also sold meat to citizens during a strike by butchers and retailers over new tax rules the following month.^[5]

Ramos remained in the position for two years, handing over the ministry to her successor, Eugenio Rojas Apaza, on 23 January 2017.^[6]

On 6 March 2017, the Minister of the Presidency, René Martínez Callahuanca [es], appointed Verónica Ramos to the position of Director of the Technical Office for the Strengthening of Public Enterprise (OFEP), under the Ministry of the Presidency.^[7]

References

1. "Posesionan a 13 nuevos ministros y ratifican a ocho" [13 New Ministers Take Over and Eight Ratified]. Página Siete (in Spanish). La Paz. 23 January 2015. Archived from the original on 12 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
2. "Ana Verónica Ramos Morales" (in Spanish). Ministry of Communication of Bolivia. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
3. "Presidente Morales renovó más de la mitad de su gabinete al iniciar tercer mandato" [President Morales Renews More Than Half of His Cabinet at the Start of His Third Term]. Sol de Pando (in Spanish). 23 January 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
4. Chávez, Miriam (11 June 2015). "Ministra Ramos asegura que La Paz es el 'epicentro' del incremento del precio del pan" [Minister Ramos Says That La Paz is the 'Epicenter' of the Increase in the Price of Bread]. La Razón (in Spanish). La Paz. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
5. Mena, María (3 June 2015). "Carniceros van a paro nacional y Emapa anuncia venta de carne" [Butchers Go on National Strike and EMAPA Announces Sale of Meat]. Página Siete (in Spanish). La Paz. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
6. "Ministerio boliviano fortalecerá proyectos de seguridad alimentaria" [Bolivian Ministry Will Strengthen Food Security Projects] (in Spanish). La Paz: Radio La Primerísima. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
7. "Exministra Ramos asume como directora de oficina que fiscalizará empresas públicas" [Ex-Minister Ramos Takes Over as Director of Office to Supervise Public Companies]. Los Tiempos (in Spanish). 6 March 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2019.