Professional diplomat Oscar Maurtua succeeds Hector Bejar as Peru's Foreign Minister

Oscar Maurtua was sworn in as Peru's new foreign minister on Friday. He succeeds Hector Bejar, who resigned just weeks after getting job because of contentious remarks he made before taking over role. Maurtua previously served as foreign minister under centrist President Alejandro Toledo in early 2000s, and will w work for Pedro Castillo, a former elementary school teacher, in his far-left administration. Maurtua has also held positions of Peruvian ambassador in Canada and Thailand.

Maurtua's appointment is important for Castillo's political future

Castillo's political destiny is dependent on his appointment, as his Cabinet comes up for confirmation by opposition-controlled Congress before end of month. During a ceremony at government headquarters that was shown on state television, he was sworn in without furr government remark.

Hector Bejar resigned under duress because comments he made before joining ministership surfaced in recent days. Last year, he claimed that US Central Intelligence ncy played a role in formation of Maoist rebel group Shining Path.

Diplomatic history of Oscar Maurtua 

Maurtua began working as an administrative employee in Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Relations in 1965. In 1966, he served as secretary to Dr Fernando Shcwalb López-Aldana and was President Fernando Belaunde Terry's personal representative at Andean Community of Nations' founding meeting of Heads of State. 

He was first student to enter Peru's Diplomatic Academy in 1967, graduating with a degree in International Relations. After supporting concept " Permanent Sovereignty of State over its Wealth and Natural Resources," he joined Diplomatic Service in 1969.

In 1970, he was named secretary at US Embassy, and in 1976, he was chosen as President of Association of Commercial Counselors in Washington, DC. In 1977, he was named Head of Foreign Ministry's Department of International Ecomic Policy, and in 1979, he was named Director of Ecomic Affairs and Deputy Director of General Directorate of Planning. 

He was appointed as Counselor of Peruvian Embassy in Belgium and before European Ecomic Community in 1980. During presidency of Fernando Belaúnde Terry, he served as Secretary-General of Presidency of Republic from 1980 to 1985. 

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