Branko Goran Marinković Jovičević[1] (born 21 August 1967) is a Bolivian electrochemical engineer, economist, businessman, and politician who served as the Minister of Development Planning and Minister of Economy and Public Finance during the interim presidency of Jeanine Áñez.

Branko Marinković
Minister of Economy and Public Finance
In office
28 September 2020 – 6 November 2020
PresidentJeanine Áñez
Preceded byÓscar Ortiz Antelo
Succeeded byMarcelo Montenegro
Minister of Development Planning
In office
5 August 2020 – 28 September 2020
PresidentJeanine Áñez
Preceded byCarlos Melchor Díaz
Succeeded byGonzalo Quiroga
President of the Santa Cruz Civic Committee
In office
2007–2009
Preceded byGermán Antelo Vaca
Succeeded byLuis Nuñez Ribera
Personal details
Born
Branko Goran Marinković Jovičević

(1967-08-21) 21 August 1967 (age 57)
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
SpouseNicole Dauelsberg
Children3
EducationUniversity of Texas

Biography

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Branko Goran Marinković Jovičević was born on 21 August 1967 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. He is the son of a Croatian[2][3][4][5][6] father and Montenegrin[6] mother who emigrated to Bolivia from Yugoslavia in 1954. Marinković also holds Croatian passport.[7]

He studied electromechanical engineering and economics and finance at the University of Texas in the United States. Marinković is important in the Oilseeds Industry in Bolivia since 2000 and is president of the Federation of Private Entrepreneurs since 2004 and vice chairman of Banco Económico.

He was elected President of the Santa Cruz Civic Committee in 2007.[8]

Marinković was an opponent of President Evo Morales.[9]

In the documentary, Who is Branko Marinković, which aired on Bolivian national television, Marinković was depicted as pro-Ustaše, although his father reportedly was as a member of the Partisans.[10] In that same documentary, Marinković is shown as a citizen of Croatia.[7]

In December 2010, Bolivia's prosecutor had filed charges against 39 people, including Marinković, for 2009 alleged plot aimed at killing Evo Morales and starting an armed rebellion. Marinković, and other leading opposition leaders argued that in no way were they are associated with the plot. Marinković was forced into exile in Brazil while fearing for his life. He claimed his innocence and has said the following: "The Bolivian government pursues me and forced me to live outside my beloved Bolivia, because in Bolivia my life would be threatened. I have no guarantees that I would be allowed a fair trial."[3]

Following the 2019 Bolivian political crisis, Marinković returned to Bolivia.

On 5 August 2020, interim president Jeanine Áñez appointed him Minister of Development Planning. He was reassigned to the Ministry of Economics and Public Finance following the resignation of Óscar Ortiz.[11] Marinković held this position from 28 September 2020 until 6 November 2020 when he resigned along with other members of the Áñez cabinet to facilitate the transfer of power to the newly elected President, Luis Arce.[12]

On 11 November 2020, Fundación TIERRA brought a petition to the Bolivian Senate and Courts alleging that he had facilitated the illegal sale of over 33,000 hectares of land to himself and members of his family.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "NOMINA DE AUTORIDADES" (PDF).
  2. ^ "Hrvat Branko Marinković u Boliviji optužen za urotu protiv Eve Moralesa". Jutarnji list (in Croatian).
  3. ^ a b "Branko Marinkovic iz Amerike poručuje da se ne vraća u Boliviju" (in Croatian). Večernji list.
  4. ^ "Branko Marinković optužen za zavjeru s ciljem ubojstva Eva Moralesa" (in Croatian). Nova TV.
  5. ^ "Moralesov neprijatelj s Brača nije terorist" (in Croatian). T portal.
  6. ^ a b "Hrvatski 'kralj soje' u Boliviji Branko Marinković optužen za urotu protiv Moralesa". Slobodna Dalmacija (in Croatian).
  7. ^ a b "Branko Marinković, Hrvat kojeg Indijanci mrze najviše na svijetu" (in Croatian). Poslovni dnevnik.
  8. ^ "Ing. Branko Marinkovic Jovicevic". Comité pro Santa Cruz (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Bolivia's Leader Says States' Dispute Can Be Resolved". The New York Times. 20 December 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
  10. ^ "Srušio Moralesa: Ko je Branko Marinković za koga bivši predsednik tvrdi da po jugoslavenskom receptu želi da cepa i Boliviju?". NOVOSTI (in Serbian). Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  11. ^ AFP. "Three Bolivian Ministers Resign Ahead Of October Vote". Barron's.
  12. ^ "Renuncia el Gabinete de Áñez para dar paso a transición de gestión". Los Tiempos. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Envían informes a la Asamblea para investigar a Branco Marinkovic por caso de tierras". Erbol.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Development Planning
2020
Succeeded by
Gonzalo Quiroga
Preceded by Minister of Economy and Public Finance
2020
Succeeded by