Maduro replaces Venezuela's longtime oil chief

[Judi Lynn]

Maduro replaces Venezuela's longtime oil chief
Published: Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 9:45 p.m.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Nicolas Maduro has replaced the Venezuela's longtime oil minister and economic czar as part of a cabinet shakeup sidelining the most-prominent voice within his administration for much-needed reforms to address the country's economic crisis.

Rafael Ramirez had served as oil minister and president of the state-run oil giant PDVSA for more than a decade.

Maduro made the announcement Tuesday night as part of a much-anticipated government restructuring. The president named Ramirez the new foreign minister.

Ramirez will be replaced in his previous jobs by lesser-known officials. He was also forced to give up his year-old post as top economic policy maker, from which he had argued for a currency overhaul and unpopular gas price hikes to help Venezuela tackle an economic crisis marked by 60 percent inflation.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20140903/API/309039967

(Short article, no more at link.)

[Zorro]

1. Must have been a challenge

to post an article that fails to mention that Ramirez was replaced by Hugo's cousin.

Fits the same pattern with Hugo's daughter's UN representative assignment.