Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has appointed Agriculture Minister Elias Jaua as the country's new vice president.

The previous vice president, Ramón Carrizález, resigned earlier this week for what he described as personal reasons. However, there have been suggestions in the Venezuelan media that the real reason for the resignation was a conflict with Mr Chávez. Mr Carrizález also gave up his post as defence minister, while his wife Yubirí Ortega resigned as environment minister.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez (ANP)