Caracas.- The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, reported this Monday that she has appointed the until-now chargé d’affaires in the United States, Félix Plasencia, as her new foreign minister, replacing Yván Gil, who will become the new Minister of Science and Technology.
Through Telegram, the president indicated that she decided to merge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and that it will be led by Plasencia.
The merger left out Johan Álvarez, who had been heading the Foreign Trade portfolio since last March.
Changes in the Rodríguez cabinet
Rodríguez said that Plasencia, who was already foreign minister between August 2021 and May 2022, has “extensive experience in diplomacy and will have the mission of directing Venezuelan foreign policy,” defending sovereignty, strengthening cooperation relations, and promoting “peace diplomacy in the world.”
Last February, the Venezuelan president appointed Plasencia as chargé d’affaires in the United States, amidst the rapprochement process between both countries, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January of this year.
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Likewise, the president reported that Gil will now occupy the position of Minister of Science and Technology to continue promoting scientific development, innovation, and technological transformation at the service of the South American country.
“His broad international vision will give momentum to this strategic sector of the country,” he added.
Rodríguez thanked Gabriela Jiménez, who had been at the head of that portfolio since June 2019, for her “dedication, commitment, and valuable work at the head of this office, contributing to the strengthening of scientific and technological capabilities”.
