Venezuela's Maduro moves foreign minister Ramirez to U.N.
Source: Reuters
Venezuela's Maduro moves foreign minister Ramirez to U.N.
BY ANDREW CAWTHORNE
CARACAS Fri Dec 26, 2014 3:17pm EST
(Reuters) - President Nicolas Maduro named powerful Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez to a new post as envoy to the United Nations on Friday, saying the appointment would strengthen Venezuela's voice on the world body's Security Council from Jan. 1.
Venezuela's socialist government sees its imminent two-year seat on the Security Council as a chance to raise its international profile and counteract U.S. global influence.
Ramirez, a long-time former energy minister and head of state oil company PDVSA, has headed the Foreign Ministry since September and has continued to be Venezuela's representative at the oil producers' cartel OPEC.
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Ramirez's appointment to the U.N. post likely will be interpreted by government opponents as a further demotion for one of the most powerful men in Venezuela.
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Read more:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/26/us-venezuela-cabinet-idUSKBN0K412820141226