Venezuela Names New Foreign Minister

Venezuela has appointed Nicolás Maduro as the country’s new foreign minister, replacing Ali Rodríguez who resigned due to health problems. Maduro, who is regarded as a close ally of president Hugo Chávez, stepped down as president of the Congress to take up his new post at the foreign affairs ministry. Also on the move was Congressman José Khan who was named new minister of basic industries and mining in the place of Victor Álvarez, also on the way out because of his health.