Jan 4, 2008, 20:17 GMT
Caracas - One month after suffering a tough defeat in a referendum over a socialist constitution, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez carried out a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle, including the naming of a new vice president.
On Friday, new Chief of Staff Jesse Chacon, until now at the helm in the telecommunications ministry, revealed 12 changes within the government - including the interior and finance ministries - in which many faces just changed posts.
The left-wing populist Chavez had said late Thursday in Caracas that he would change 13 ministers, and gave only some names, noting that he would give full details Sunday, in his TV programme 'Alo Presidente.'
Chacon said the reshuffle aims to implement 'concrete socialism,' which seeks to prioritize citizen needs like the fight against crime, control of inflation and the supply of foodstuffs.
Chavez himself said late Thursday that current Housing Minister Ramon Carrizales would replace Vice President Jorge Rodriguez. Carrizales himself is to be replaced by retired member of the military Jorge Perez Prado, said Chavez, who noted that he wants to give his 'revolution' renewed impulse.
The head of the television channel Telesur, Andres Izarra, is to return to the communications ministry which he led until 2005, in the place of William Lara.
Socorro Hernandez, currently head of the state telephone company CANTV, is to replace Jesse Chacon at the telecommunications ministry.
Chacon added that Pedro Carreno would leave the head of the interior ministry to Ramon Rodriguez Chacin, who was already interior minister in 2002 and recently played a key role in the failed operation to secure the release of three hostages held by Colombian rebels.
Rodrigo Cabezas is to leave the finance ministry to his deputy Rafael Isea, with a view to seek the governorship of the state of Zulia.
The portfolios for planning, social protection, basic industries, food and sports portfolios are also to change hands, while the remaining 12 ministers were expected to remain at their posts.
'We will work on new challenges,' Carrizales said.
The reshuffle comes only one month after Chavez suffered his first electoral defeat after reaching the Venezuelan presidency in 1999. Voters rejected constitutional changes proposed by the president, which would among other things have allowed the unlimited re-election of the president.
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