Peru's Cabinet Chief Steps Down

The cabinet chief for Peru's President Ollanta Humala, Juan Jimenez Mayor, said Tuesday that he will resign after just over a year in the job.

"Some weeks back, I spoke with (Humala) about the need to make changes in the cabinet. And on Monday he told me it was time for him to accept my resignation," Jimenez said on ATV+ television.

Jimenez said he would be replaced by Cesar Villanueva, 67, of San Martin.

The outgoing cabinet chief said he would leave it to Humala to announce any further cabinet changes.

Jimenez recently took some political fire after he announced that a new presidential jet would be purchased. Hours later, amid some public outcry, Humala said it was not happening and that the government had other more pressing priorities.