Government of Dina Boluarte restructures Petro-Perú board amid crisis.

In an unexpected turn, the government of President Dina Boluarte is preparing to radically change the direction of Petro-Perú, the state oil company that has faced a severe financial crisis. The news, confirmed by various sources, indicates that a restructuring of the board of directors will take place, which has been the subject of criticism in recent months, including its president, Oliver Stark. This move comes in a context where tensions between the current administration and the Petro-Perú board have reached a boiling point, especially after a crucial meeting between both parties. The information suggests that Pedro Chira, who previously held the position of president of Petro-Perú, is set to return to the company's leadership. Chira was forced to resign in 2024 due to accusations of lack of transparency, specifically for having "lied to the members of the Council of Ministers," according to allegations from high-ranking government officials. His return has raised concerns about the continuity of practices that led the company to the worst crisis in its history. On the other hand, Óscar Vera, who served as Minister of Energy and Mines, appears to have negotiated his rise to the general management of Petro-Perú. His close ties to the company during his tenure have raised questions about conflicts of interest, given that no formal investigation was ever conducted by the Comptroller General of the Republic, which casts serious doubts on the ethics of these appointments. The third actor in this new scheme is Enrique Bisetti, who would occupy the position of Deputy Minister of Hydrocarbons in the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Bisetti has been linked to hydrocarbon management in the past, both during Pedro Castillo's government and in the current administration, giving him a continuity that may be problematic in a sector that demands freshness and new ideas. The decision to restructure the Petro-Perú board seems to come after Stark and his team expressed their dissatisfaction with the government, pointing to the lack of concrete initiatives to strengthen the company's sustainability. In a recent statement, Stark criticized the government's stance, suggesting that it had remained "in limbo" regarding critical decisions for the company, which triggered a strong response from the President of the Council of Ministers, Gustavo Adrianzén. César Gutiérrez, former president of Petro-Perú, has been critical of the possibility of the return of Chira, Vera, and Bisetti, stating that they are "the least appropriate people" to lead the sector, referencing the significant losses the company has recorded under their previous management. This opinion resonates among various stakeholders in the energy sector, who view these appointments as a setback in the search for effective solutions to the problems facing the company. Experts in the field have pointed out that this restructuring could be influenced by nationalist currents within the government, seeking to rid themselves of figures who promote private investment in the energy sector. This theory gains traction as the Minister of Energy and Mines, who has been promoting initiatives to encourage investment in mining and energy, seems to be in the sights of those who wish to maintain greater state control over these sectors. In a context where the government has shown a tendency to implement drastic changes in public administration, the path that Petro-Perú will take in the coming months appears uncertain. With the departure of the current board and the arrival of familiar figures, many wonder if this will be enough to reverse the economic crisis plaguing the company and the energy sector in general. The government's decision to remove the Petro-Perú board and reinstall figures who have been at the center of controversy seems to be an attempt to consolidate power in a scenario where the pressure for results is ever-increasing. However, the real challenge will be whether these changes translate into better management and a more coherent and sustainable energy policy. As always in politics, time will be the best judge.