Venezuela leader names Maduro bodyguard to key cabinet post

__________________

CARACAS —  Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez on Monday added a former bodyguard of her ousted predecessor Nicolas Maduro to her cabinet in one of the first ministerial changes of her administration.

Rodriguez appointed Captain Juan Escalona as minister of the presidential office, which manages the leader's agenda and liaises with state agencies.

Escalona was a former aide to Maduro's predecessor Hugo Chavez, and then part of Maduro's security team until the latter was captured on January 3 along with his wife, Cilia Flores, during a US bombing raid on Caracas.

The attack killed about 55 members of Maduro's security team, including 32 Cubans who protected him under an arrangement with Venezuela's allies in Havana.

Escalona's presence at Rodriguez's first cabinet meeting last week dispelled rumours that he had died in the strike.

Some of Maduro's supporters have alleged he was betrayed by a close ally.

Escalona's appointment was among the initial changes in a government under pressure from Washington to negotiate US access to Venezuela's oil.

Rodriguez also replaced the head of the presidential guard, who leads the feared counterintelligence unit, and named a new economic czar.

Another military officer, Anibal Coronado, was appointed environment minister.

Rodriguez announced the appointments on Telegram, praising Escalona's loyalty and experience.

Maduro and Flores are in jail in New York, facing trial on drug-trafficking charges that they have denied.

US President Donald Trump said he was "in charge" of Venezuela and would work with Rodriguez, hinting at a possible meeting with her.