The mystery surrounding the name of the new Venezuelan minister of Finance was unveiled on Sunday by President Hugo Chávez during his TV and radio show "Aló, Presidente."

Ex Foreign Minister and ex Minister of Energy and Petroleum Alí Rodríguez Araque will hold accountability for the task.

"I spoke to him (Rodríguez), and he told me: 'Mr. President, I am a soldier.' I told him: 'You have all the experience of (state-run oil holding Petróleos de Venezuela) Pdvsa, about oil.' He has quite a few qualifications," said the head of state.

Alí Rodríguez, formerly Venezuela's ambassador to Cuba, will succeed Rafael Isea, who was appointed by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) candidate to the Aragua state government.