Upon his assumption to office, Córdova charged all ministerial portfolios to Juan de la Cruz Benavente as minister general pending the formation of a proper ministerial cabinet.[3] De la Cruz had already been serving as minister of public instruction and foreign affairs in the cabinet of Manuel Isidoro Belzu since 8 November 1854.[6] A full council of ministers was appointed on 17 August 1855, two days later, composed of four ministers. In this cabinet, a new department, material police, was established as part of the Ministry of Finance.[4]
^"Ley de 11 de agosto de 1855". Gaceta Oficial del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia (in Spanish). 11 August 1855. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.