Govt names new public works minister

Paraguay's former defense minister Cecilio Pérez Bordón has taken on the role of public works and communications minister, replacing Efraín Alegre. A group of 12 MOPC officials resigned over the government's decision to remove Alegre. Merchant navy director Sergio Manuel Brítez Espínola and deputy trade minister Agustín Perdomo have also presented their resignation. Alegre is now reportedly preparing to run for the 2013 presidential elections as a representative for liberal opposition party PLRA.