Guatemala Foreign Minister Steps Down

Guatemala’s foreign minister, Jorge Briz, is to step down from his post possibly to seek elected office in next year’s November elections. Briz has served as foreign minister since the start of 2004. President Oscar Berger, a close friend of Briz, denied that the minister was stepping down because of disagreements with vice-president Eduardo Stein over the handling of certain diplomatic matters. Deputy minister Juan José Cabrera will also resign his post. Possible replacements for the post of foreign minister include: Gert Rosenthal, Marta Altolaguirre and Francisco Villagrán De León.