Ecuadorian president swears in 3 ministers

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa swore in three ministers Friday as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

The ceremony was held in the government's Carondelet palace.

Jose Serrano, who was formerly Correa's justice minister, became the new interior minister, replacing Alfredo Vera, who resigned earlier this week at the president's request.

Johanna Pesantez, who was Correa's chief presidential adviser on judicial issues, became justice minister.

Stanley Vera, who was a manager of a consortium of companies under the Ecudos Sugar Group, assumed the post of agriculture minister.

The designation of new interior and justice ministers will strengthen public security and help transform the judicial system, Correa said.

He also claimed victory in Saturday's referendum, during which Ecuadorians voted on his proposals to launch judicial and media reforms.

Among the 74.73 percent of votes counted, between 44 percent and 49 percent of Ecuadorians voted for the 10 reforms, while between 40 percent and 43 percent voted against, according to results from the National Electoral Council (CNE). The final results have yet to be released.

"This has been an undeniable triumph," said Correa, apparently responding to his political opponents, who accused him of claiming victory prematurely.

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