Venezuela names admiral to be first female defense minister

[Judi Lynn]

Venezuela names admiral to be first female defense minister
06 July 2013 10:27

Baku – APA. Venezuela named a female admiral who had been a close aide to Hugo Chavez as its first woman defense minister on Friday in a ceremony at the military museum that houses the late socialist leader's remains, APA reports citing Reuters.

Carmen Melendez, who became the South American country's first female admiral a year ago, takes over the defense ministry from Diego Molero. Until Friday, she was serving as minister in the office of the president.

"Here, where the remains of our commander lie, I have decided to name a new military high command," President Nicolas Maduro said in a speech carried live on all local TV networks.

"I've decided to name a woman to head the defense ministry for the first time: Carmen Melendez, soldier of the fatherland."

More:
http://en.apa.az/news/195923

[Socialistlemur]

1. Good choice

She had been Chavez' aide in charge of letting him know what was going wrong with the government. I know the official deal was that she was supposed to make sure ministers did what they were supposed to, but that was an impossible task because under Chavez most ministers were a bunch of incompetents, and this included current Vice Presidents like Jaua and Arreaza. This lady minister will have to shape up things to go after the military officers who have been engaged in drug trade and the contraband of gasoline and food to Colombia. I would make sure she has a very high quality set of bodyguards, because that Cabello mafia is ruthless.