[NYTr] New Chavez Cabinet Faces Challenges

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com


New Chavez Cabinet Faces Challenges

Caracas, Jan 7 (Prensa Latina) Food supply, inflation, and insecurity
are among the main challenges in the social agenda of Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez, supported by a renewed cabinet.

The year 2008 has brought changes in 13 posts of the governmental team,
with the vice presidency now in the hands of Ramon Carrizalez, who will
have to watch over efficiency in management.

In his first ó Alo Presidente ó program of the year, Chavez referred to
insecurity, corruption, and bureaucratization among the problems still
to be solved, all inherited from the capitalist model.

In the meantime, the economic team, with new airs in finance, planning
and development, light industries and trade, and mining and basic
industries is called to design strategies to stop inflationary
pressures.

The ministry of food is now run by Felix Osorio, while Ramon Rodriguez
Chacin was named interior and justice minister.

In addition, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) state oil company will
be directly linked to social actions through PDVAL, food producing and
distributing firm, which is likely to emerge soon.

hr dig mem mf PL-2