President Nicolas Maduro announced changes in the cabinet of the Venezuelan government by substituting the officials who are running for the legislative races.  The changes in his cabinet include the appointment of Mervin Maldonado as the new vice president for social and territorial socialism.

The announcement on Thursday followed the selection of several cabinet ministers as candidates of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela for regional and municipal elections scheduled for November 21, Maduro said. According to reports,  The President appointed Chief Admiral Remigio Ceballos Ichaso as new minister of internal relations, justice and peace, and Felix Plasencia as new foreign minister in place of Jorge Arreaza, who was appointed minister of industries and national production.  Governor of Monagas Yelitze Santaella was appointed as the new minister of education.

In addition, Admiral William Serantes Pinto will serve as minister of ecological mining development while Margaud Godoy will replace Carolys Perez as minister of women and gender equality.

Maduro is pressing for the lifting of sanctions imposed by the U.S and Europe against Venezuelan officials and institutions for the state’s suppression of democracy in the oil-producing South American country. Joe Biden’s admin has maintained measures against Venezuela’s economy and continued support for opposition leader Juan Guaido.

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