Venezuela’s Chavez appoints navy commander as new Defense Minister

Venezuela’s Chavez appoints navy commander as new Defense Minister

PanARMENIAN.Net - President Hugo Chavez has appointed the commander of Venezuela's navy as his new defense minister, replacing a close confidant who he has tapped as a candidate in upcoming regional elections, AP reported.

Speaking during a telephone call broadcast Monday, October 29 on state television, Chavez appointed Navy Cmdr. Diego Molero as defense minister.

Molero, an admiral who has served as the navy's intelligence chief, replaces Army Gen. Henry Rangel Silva.

Rangel is a close confidant of Chavez who will represent the president's ruling party in Dec. 16 elections to choose state governors and mayors.

The United States has accused Rangel of aiding drug traffickers and the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. Chavez picked Rangel to run for the governorship of Trujillo, a state bordering neighboring Colombia.

 Top stories
Azerbaijani authorities report that they have already resettled 3,000 people in the Nagorno-Karabakh town of Stepanakert.
On June 10, Azerbaijani President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will leave for Turkey on a working visit.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive.
Partner news
---