Nicolás Maduro
| Nicolás Maduro Moros | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office August 2006 |
|
| President | Hugo Chávez |
| Preceded by | Alí Rodríguez Araque |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 23, 1962 Caracas |
| Profession | High school |
Nicolás Maduro Moros (born 23 November 1962 in Caracas) is a Venezuelan politician who was appointed foreign minister by President Hugo Chávez on 9 August 2006.[1]
[edit] Biography
Nicolas Maduro began his political career as a bus driver and unofficial trade-unionist representing the workers of the Caracas Metro system in the 1970s and 1980s (back then, unions within the Metro company where not allowed). He finished high school in the Liceo Avalos, a public high-school west of Caracas during the '80 (El Valle neighborhood), but lacks any university or further education. He is considered one of the founders of the Fifth Republic Movement (MVR), but his biggest political accomplishment was as activist for the release of Hugo Chávez from prison, and later as one of this regional political coordinators during the 1998 presidential race. Maduro was elected on the MVR ticket to the Venezuelan Chamber of Deputies in 1998, to the National Constituent Assembly in 1999, and to the National Assembly in 2000 and 2005, representing the Capital District. The legislature elected him Speaker of the Assembly, even though he did not have a college degree or formal education. He held that position from 2005 until the first half of 2006.[2] Maduro is married to Cilia Flores,[3] herself a prominent figure within the MVR. She replaced Maduro as Speaker of assembly.[4]
In January 2009, Israel ordered the Venezuelan ambassador and his staff to leave the country after Venezuela expelled Israeli diplomats over Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip. In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Maduro stated, with regard to Israel's expelling of the Venezuelan ambassador, that "The response of the State of Israel is weak, late and in any case for us it's an honor. We're proud that the State of Israel that exists today, led by these criminals, made this decision."[5]
On September 2006, he was detained by the Homeland Security officers at JFK Airport, after paying for three air tickets in cash.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.venezuela-oas.org/Notadeprensa09-8-06.html
- ^ http://www.mre.gob.ve/Noticias/Canciller_NM/curriculum.htm
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/portuguese/noticias/story/2005/12/051214_venezueladenunciarc.shtml
- ^ http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=36771
- ^ Israel expels Venezuelan envoy, Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), 28 January 2009.
- ^ [1]
[edit] External links
- Ministerio del Poder Popular para Relaciones Exteriores (Venezuelan Foreign Ministry)
- Nicolás Maduro Moros, Ministro del Poder Popular para Relaciones Exteriores (government CV)
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Alí Rodríguez Araque |
Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs August 2006 - |
Succeeded by |
