Maduro replaces Venezuela's longtime oil chief

[Zorro]

Source: AP

President Nicolas Maduro has replaced Venezuela's longtime oil boss and economic czar, sidelining the most-prominent voice within his administration for pragmatic reforms to tackle a deep economic crisis.

Rafael Ramirez had served as oil minister and president of the state-run oil giant PDVSA for more than a decade, earning a reputation as a loyal servant of the late Hugo Chavez's socialist revolution. He saw his power within the government expand dramatically a year ago when Maduro tapped him as vice president for economic policy, giving him effective oversight of everything from the country's foreign currency reserves to the price of gasoline.

As part of what Maduro called a new assignment for the 50-year-old engineer, Ramirez was designated foreign minister and given a newly created position of vice president for political sovereignty.

Maduro's Cabinet shuffle Tuesday night was widely anticipated after his ministers collectively offered their resignations two weeks ago. But few Venezuelans expected such a dramatic demotion for Ramirez, who looked on long-faced as the president thanked him for his past service in front of an audience of top military and civilian officials at the presidential palace.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/maduro-replaces-venezuelas-longtime-oil-044709476.html

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Replacing the voice of pragmatic reforms with Hugo Chavez's cousin?

I have my doubts that this change will make things better in Venezuela.

[FLPanhandle]

1. If he has been in charge of oil and their collapsing economy, then he won't be missed.

President Nicolas Maduro has a lack of credibility though and I doubt he will choose anyone any better.

[Fred Sanders]

2. How is the economy collapsing?

I heard innuendo and individual stories, which you hear in every country, but what do the experts as opposed to pundits say?

Why are members of DU not supporting a socialist experiment mixed with capitalism?

[IronGate]

3. The economy is collapsing.

Their infrastructure is falling apart, the electrical grid is decaying, there are chronic shortages of basic goods, massive govt. corruption, massive crime rate, massive human rights violations by the govt on the opposition, etc.

Why should DU members walk in lockstep when it's pretty obvious that the VN experiment has failed miserably?

[Fred Sanders]

7. Like I said, innuendo and empty claims, no stats, no expertise, just bald faced claims.....useless.

[IronGate]

13. No, well documented claims if you would use google.

Try it and learn instead of dismissing it just because you don't agree with the claim.

But if you want to stick your head in the sand and not research the truth, you're free to do so, just don't expect those of us in the know to walk in lockstep with you and not challenge your lack of knowledge.

[FLPanhandle]

4. They are projected by experts to have the biggest drop in GDP in the developed world.

Socialist or not, it's a sign of mismanagement.

[Fred Sanders]

8. Greece, Italy, Spain, even America at one time, had single low digit recessions....big deal.

-9% in 4th quarter 2008 for America, remember that?

Like I said, big deal, still not a collapsing economy, is it?

[FLPanhandle]

11. Well, it's obvious you don't want to hear anything that conflicts with what you want to hear.

The sources from experts have been posted and are easy to find online, if you choose to cover your ears that's your problem.

[hack89]

5. Skyrocketing inflation, food shortages, no foreign currency reserves, falling oil production

well documented and discussed in depth here.

Toss in a sky rocketing violent crime rate and it is clear things are going poorly in VZ.

Nothing wrong with a socialist experiment mixed with capitalism as long as one is realistic and willing to make changes if things are not going as expected. It is clear things are not going as expected.

[Fred Sanders]

9. Where is the beef in your bun? Where is the proof? What are the stats? Just saying so is just saying

How has the economy collapsed, it has not.

American media is once again weaponized its propaganda to attack a country once owned by super rich and now owned by the people. Of course they do and of course far too many are caught in the web of lies. Of course there will be struggles and lying by the rich....look around, same thing in America.

[Dreamer Tatum]

10. Why not come back when someone posts that the CIA is actively destabilizing Venezuela?

Because certain posters do that every time there isn't enough asswipe to go around in
Caracas.

You can come back and assure them of the soundness of the Venezuelan economy, as you're
doing here.

[hack89]

12. You are new to the conversation here

Last edited Wed Sep 3, 2014, 06:26 PM - Edit history (1)

why not spend the time searching and reading? Not my job to spoon feed you months of discussion in a single post.

[Psephos]

15. Try the water fluoridation conspiracy thread. You'll feel right at home. n/t

[Throd]

6. Here are a few answers...

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/30/4319013/andres-oppenheimer-venezuela-from.html

[Zorra]

16. I know, huh? They are like disciples of Joe McCarthy. nt

[Zorro]

17. Chavistas are like disciples of Charlie McCarthy

Wooden-headed puppets parroting the Venezuelan government's lines.

[blkmusclmachine]

14. Sorry, but I just don't trust this Maduro guy.