Maduro replaces Venezuela's longtime oil chief

[unhappycamper]

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/09/02/3358917/maduro-replaces-venezuelas-longtime.html?sp=/99/261/



FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2013, file photo, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, left, speaks with his Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez before the start of a press conference at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela. President Maduro has replaced on Tuesday Sept. 2, 2014, 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

Maduro replaces Venezuela's longtime oil chief
By FABIOLA SANCHEZ and JOSHUA GOODMAN
The Associated Press
September 2, 2014 Updated 17 minutes ago

CARACAS, Venezuela — 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.

[pipoman]

1. Who doesn't love a nice Maduro?