CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro yesterday named a military general accused of drug crimes by the United States as his new interior minister and removed from the cabinet his top economic official, who was viewed as a potential reformer.
The newly named interior minister, Nestor Reverol, 51, is the former head of both Venezuela’s anti-narcotics agency and National Guard troop.
“I offer all my personal support and as head of state to him and his family after he has been attacked by the U.S. empire,” Maduro said as he announced a reshuffle of his top team.
U.S. prosecutors announced an indictment on Monday against Reverol and another official over allegations they took part in a cocaine distribution scheme.
The 51-year-old soldier, who also served as interior minister under Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez, has in the past denied U.S. allegations. Venezuela’s government says the allegations are part of an international campaign to besmirch its reputation.
“As interior minister, he broke the world record for capturing traffickers, that is why they want to make him pay, the DEA and all the U.S. drug mafias,” Maduro added, referring to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. “That’s why I have named this brave, combative, experienced man.”
According to the U.S. indictment, from January 2008 to December 2010, Reverol and the other official, Edylberto Molina, took payments from traffickers for helping them distribute cocaine that would be imported into the United States.
They also alerted traffickers to future drug raids or the locations of law enforcement officers, hindered investigations of drug-filled vehicles and arranged for the release of suspects, cash and drugs, prosecutors said.
In another surprise move yesterday, Maduro removed his vice president for the economy and industry minister Miguel Perez.
A former business leader, Perez had advocated for a reform of Venezuela’s complex currency controls, to create one unified rate, and was viewed by economists and investors as a possible catalyst for reform to the failing state-led economic model.
The South American OPEC nation’s economy is mired in crisis, with a third year of recession, triple-digit inflation, widespread shortages and vast lines at shops.
“I told him to rest for five or six days, I have given him a new mission, we will announce it soon,” Maduro said of Perez.
Industry vice minister Carlos Faria was named to the top post in that ministry.
