Venezuelan Justice Minister quits

Venezuelan Minister of Interior and Justice Ramon Rodriguez Chacin (image) tended his resignation earlier today. Rodriguez Chacin mentioned that he quit due to “personal reasons” though he still remains loyal to President Hugo Chavez’ “Bolivarian Revolution”.

As Reuters noted, Rodriguez Chacin was a vital member of the Venezuelan Cabinet:

He recorded successes early on his post by flying into Colombia's jungles to receive hostages from leftist rebels whom he hugged and called "comrades." But his reputation was tainted in the following months.

Media reported that rebel computer files seemed to link him to illegal activity with the guerrillas. Then Chavez rescinded a spy law Rodriguez drafted, saying it would have forced Venezuelans to snitch on their neighbors.

Rodriguez Chacin’s resignation comes after Chavez announced that a series of joint military exercises with Russia will take place later this year; a move which U.S. officials tried to “play down.”

Image- BBC Mundo
Sources- The Latin Americanist, El Universal, PR-Inside.com, Reuters UK, Xinhua, Al Jazeera English