United Socialist Party of Venezuela to begin its first Congress on January 11

Chávez announces changes in his cabinet
CARACAS, January 3

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez stated today that he is to make changes to 13 of his cabinet posts, the principal one being that of the vice president of the Republic.

Chávez said in a telephone call to Venezolano de Televisión that his second in government, Vice President Jorge Rodríguez, is to hand over his post to Ramón Carrizales, minister of habitat and housing.

Carrizales’ post is to go to Jorge Pérez Prado, president of the National Institute of Housing, whose work was praised by the president.

For his part, Rodríguez is to work on the political front and on the founding of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, which is to begin its first Congress on January 12.

In addition, Socorro Hernández, director of Venezuela’s national telephone company, is to become minister of telecommunications and informatics.

The current leader of that sector, Jesse Chacón, is to be the new minister of the President’s Office, a post left open by Ericka Farías, whose new brief is participation and social protection.

Chávez added that Andrés Izarra, the current president of Telesur, is to work as minister of information and communication, taking the place of William Lara.

President Chávez said that he would announce the remaining changes within the government on Sunday, when he resumes his weekly "Aló Presidente" program. (PL)