"Chávez would give Maduro a blow": the harsh statement of one of Chavez's strongest men

Rafael Ramírez, cataloged at the time of Chávez Government like a supreministro for his power in the executive, believes that the fall of Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, "It's only a matter of time."

"If Commander Chávez were alive, he would give him a Coup of State in Maduro, without a doubt. That would make a rebellion, it would move all the people and the armed forces, "he said lapidary in an interview with the BBC the man who managed the country's most important economic sector for 12 years and its flagship company Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).

Although the confrontation between Maduro and Ramírez takes a lot of time after being accused by the government of corruption, This is the first time that the former "czar of oil" in Venezuela is as energetic in his statements.

Exiled, from a place that does not reveal why he feels persecutedbadured the British channel that the Venezuelan oil sector crisis would "irrevocably" Maduro give up power. "It is PDVSA who hits Madurois the one who will overthrow him, "he said.

Compared to Sanctions of the United States, which he described as "illegal," indicated that they were affecting the acquisition of fuel in a country already in crisis in the market: Venezuela "is already out of gas". Maduro's measures "avoid the impact in Caracas and the big cities, but if you go inside, you do not get it." It's a rationing that will worsen when the reserves will be It is a terrible situation that will continue to have an effect on the economic collapse of the country"He predicted.

In addition, he said that he did not support the actions of the US administration against the oil company: "I am not on the side of those who applaud sanctions or interventions. Interference is unacceptable from any country in our business ".

On the other hand, Ramírez has expressed his intention to embark on the presidential race in case elections are held which claims a large part of the international community that does not recognize Maduro as the head of state since the Speaker of Parliament, Juan Guaidó, self-proclaimed president.

The 55-year-old engineer opposes Guaidó and Maduro and says that they both have something in common: "they are the opposition to chavismo ". For him, "now, the effort is to rebuild the political game, the institutionality".

But Ramírez and Guaidó, self-proclaimed president of Venezuela and president of Parliament, also have something in common: the call to the army so that I can put Maduro aside. "It's a matter of decision of our armed forces, which I hope will continue attached to the constitution"