Chile president reshuffles his cabinet

Chile’s government announced a Cabinet shake-up, a day after the defence minister submitted a surprise resignation.

Ena von Baer, secretary general of government ministers, said President Sebastian Pinera had named new people to head the defence, energy and labour ministries and also will install a new transportation minister.

Senator Andres Allamand will replace Jaime Ravinet as defence minister. Senator Evelyn Matthei is the new labour minister. Mining minister Laurence Golborne was named to take over the energy ministry.

The new ministers will take their oath of office tomorrow after the president returns from a trip to southern Chile.

It was the first change in the Cabinet since Mr Pinera became president 10 months ago.