Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday tapped a National Guard major general to lead state oil company PDVSA and the Oil Ministry as the OPEC member labors under near 30-year lows in oil production.
Manuel Quevedo takes over from two industry veterans to become one of the most powerful players in the country, which is home to the world's largest crude reserves.
Industry analysts and sources said the surprise appointment was a bad omen for the country's already deteriorated oil industry.