![Venezuela's Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez (R) talks next to Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin during their meeting in Caracas December 15, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS Stock Photo - Alamy Venezuela's Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez (R) talks next to Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin during their meeting in Caracas December 15, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS Stock Photo - Alamy](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2CXH2KG/venezuelas-foreign-minister-rafael-ramirez-r-talks-next-to-russias-deputy-prime-minister-dmitry-rogozin-during-their-meeting-in-caracas-december-15-2014-reuterscarlos-garcia-rawlins-venezuela-tags-politics-2CXH2KG.jpg)
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez (R) talks next to Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin during their meeting in Caracas December 15, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS Stock Photo - Alamy
![Rafael Ramirez (R), 31, drinks water as Alejandro Diaz, 27, dials a number on his phone before they leave their home to tie the knot in Mexico City March 16, 2007. The Rafael Ramirez (R), 31, drinks water as Alejandro Diaz, 27, dials a number on his phone before they leave their home to tie the knot in Mexico City March 16, 2007. The](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D17YYN/rafael-ramirez-r-31-drinks-water-as-alejandro-diaz-27-dials-a-number-on-his-phone-before-they-leave-their-home-to-tie-the-knot-in-mexico-city-march-16-2007-the-two-gay-lawyers-celebrated-their-civil-union-in-mexico-city-on-friday-becoming-the-first-legally-recognized-homosexual-couple-in-the-traditionally-macho-capital-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-catholic-countries-reutersdaniel-aguilar-mexico-2D17YYN.jpg)
Rafael Ramirez (R), 31, drinks water as Alejandro Diaz, 27, dials a number on his phone before they leave their home to tie the knot in Mexico City March 16, 2007. The
![Rafael Ramirez (1st row R) and his partner Sebastian A. Becerril (2nd row R) listen to a speaker at the city's assembly in Mexico City December 21, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted Rafael Ramirez (1st row R) and his partner Sebastian A. Becerril (2nd row R) listen to a speaker at the city's assembly in Mexico City December 21, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted](https://c8.alamy.com/compfr/2e6t11r/rafael-ramirez-1st-row-r-and-his-partner-sebastian-a-becerril-2nd-row-r-listen-to-a-speaker-at-the-citys-assembly-in-mexico-city-december-21-2009-mexico-citys-assembly-voted-to-extend-gay-couples-full-marriage-rights-on-monday-in-a-landmark-law-that-is-the-first-of-its-kind-in-latin-america-a-traditionally-macho-and-catholic-region-the-bill-takes-a-2006-law-allowing-civil-unions-by-allowing-gay-couples-to-access-family-social-security-benefits-and-apply-for-joint-credits-as-if-they-were-a-straight-couple-reuters-daniel-aguilar-mexico-tags-politics-society-2e6t11r.jpg)
Rafael Ramirez (1st row R) and his partner Sebastian A. Becerril (2nd row R) listen to a speaker at the city's assembly in Mexico City December 21, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted
![Rafael Ramirez (R), Venezuela?s Minister of Energy and Oil and President of the State-Owned Oil Company PDVSA, arrives at his news conference at the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington April Rafael Ramirez (R), Venezuela?s Minister of Energy and Oil and President of the State-Owned Oil Company PDVSA, arrives at his news conference at the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington April](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D30WJ3/rafael-ramirez-r-venezuelas-minister-of-energy-and-oil-and-president-of-the-state-owned-oil-company-pdvsa-arrives-at-his-news-conference-at-the-organization-of-american-states-oas-in-washington-april-16-2010-ramirez-on-thursday-welcomed-investment-by-us-oil-companies-to-help-develop-his-countrys-vast-crude-reserves-as-he-held-energy-talks-in-washington-for-the-first-time-in-six-years-reutersyuri-gripas-united-states-tags-politics-energy-2D30WJ3.jpg)
Rafael Ramirez (R), Venezuela?s Minister of Energy and Oil and President of the State-Owned Oil Company PDVSA, arrives at his news conference at the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington April
![Venezuelan UN Ambassador & Ex-Oil Czar Steps Down amid Corruption Speculation | Venezuelanalysis.com Venezuelan UN Ambassador & Ex-Oil Czar Steps Down amid Corruption Speculation | Venezuelanalysis.com](https://venezuelanalysis.com/files/styles/full_content/public/images/%5Bsite-date-yyyy%5D/%5Bsite-date-mm%5D/embajador_venezuela_05122017.jpg?itok=aWMXWBPM)
Venezuelan UN Ambassador & Ex-Oil Czar Steps Down amid Corruption Speculation | Venezuelanalysis.com
Exclusive: Weakened by sanctions, Venezuela's PDVSA cedes oilfield operations to foreign firms | Reuters
![Oil and Energy ministry Rafael Ramirez speaks to reporters in Caracas, January 22, 2014. Venezuela's government announced Wednesday that it will modify exchange controls in force for over a decade, to create Oil and Energy ministry Rafael Ramirez speaks to reporters in Caracas, January 22, 2014. Venezuela's government announced Wednesday that it will modify exchange controls in force for over a decade, to create](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2CXYXA2/oil-and-energy-ministry-rafael-ramirez-speaks-to-reporters-in-caracas-january-22-2014-venezuelas-government-announced-wednesday-that-it-will-modify-exchange-controls-in-force-for-over-a-decade-to-create-a-new-system-of-bands-to-determine-the-us-dollar-price-the-long-awaited-reform-maintains-the-official-exchange-rate-of-63-bolivars-per-dollar-for-essential-goods-such-as-medicines-and-basic-foods-but-also-allows-currencies-to-be-sold-at-a-higher-rate-through-complementary-systems-reutersjorge-silva-venezuela-tags-politics-energy-business-2CXYXA2.jpg)
Oil and Energy ministry Rafael Ramirez speaks to reporters in Caracas, January 22, 2014. Venezuela's government announced Wednesday that it will modify exchange controls in force for over a decade, to create
![Sebastian A. Becerril (4th L) and his partner Rafael Ramirez (2nd R) enjoy an evening at a gay bar in Mexico City December 11, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted to extend gay Sebastian A. Becerril (4th L) and his partner Rafael Ramirez (2nd R) enjoy an evening at a gay bar in Mexico City December 11, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted to extend gay](https://c8.alamy.com/compfr/2d15pkp/sebastian-a-becerril-4th-l-and-his-partner-rafael-ramirez-2nd-r-enjoy-an-evening-at-a-gay-bar-in-mexico-city-december-11-2009-mexico-citys-assembly-voted-to-extend-gay-couples-full-marriage-rights-on-december-21-2009-in-a-landmark-law-that-is-the-first-of-its-kind-in-latin-america-a-traditionally-macho-and-catholic-region-the-bill-takes-a-2006-law-allowing-civil-unions-by-allowing-gay-couples-to-access-family-social-security-benefits-and-apply-for-joint-credits-as-if-they-were-a-straight-couple-picture-taken-december-11-2009-reuters-daniel-aguilar-mexico-tags-politics-society-2d15pkp.jpg)
Sebastian A. Becerril (4th L) and his partner Rafael Ramirez (2nd R) enjoy an evening at a gay bar in Mexico City December 11, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted to extend gay
![Venezuela's Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez arrives at a news conference in Caracas October 10, 2014. Venezuela will end up paying less than $1 billion to Exxon Mobil Corp for oil assets nationalized Venezuela's Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez arrives at a news conference in Caracas October 10, 2014. Venezuela will end up paying less than $1 billion to Exxon Mobil Corp for oil assets nationalized](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2CYBR0R/venezuelas-foreign-minister-rafael-ramirez-arrives-at-a-news-conference-in-caracas-october-10-2014-venezuela-will-end-up-paying-less-than-1-billion-to-exxon-mobil-corp-for-oil-assets-nationalized-in-2007-after-this-weeks-world-bank-tribunal-award-the-venezuelan-government-said-on-friday-venezuela-says-it-will-deduct-a-previous-award-made-against-it-by-another-international-tribunal-the-paris-based-international-chamber-of-commerce-icc-from-thursdays-16-billion-ruling-by-the-world-banks-icsid-body-behing-a-portrait-of-national-independence-heroe-simon-bolivar-reutersjorge-si-2CYBR0R.jpg)
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez arrives at a news conference in Caracas October 10, 2014. Venezuela will end up paying less than $1 billion to Exxon Mobil Corp for oil assets nationalized
![Italy refused to extradite the former head of PDVSA Rafael Ramírez for the history of "violation of human rights in Venezuela" - Archyworldys Italy refused to extradite the former head of PDVSA Rafael Ramírez for the history of "violation of human rights in Venezuela" - Archyworldys](https://www.infobae.com/new-resizer/nTLOmsWPLNqcWdX31xsHSOp8Qmw=/1200x628/filters:format(jpg):quality(85)//cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/HT3B5MBMUFGJHOYKXOPPDM5OB4.jpg)
Italy refused to extradite the former head of PDVSA Rafael Ramírez for the history of "violation of human rights in Venezuela" - Archyworldys
![Venezuelan Energy and Mines Minister Rafael Ramirez arrives in front of Vienna's OPEC headquarters for a closed session of OPEC oil ministers September 15, 2004. Venezuela will not object to a rise Venezuelan Energy and Mines Minister Rafael Ramirez arrives in front of Vienna's OPEC headquarters for a closed session of OPEC oil ministers September 15, 2004. Venezuela will not object to a rise](https://l450v.alamy.com/450v/2cpmgae/venezuelan-energy-and-mines-minister-rafael-ramirez-arrives-in-front-of-viennas-opec-headquarters-for-a-closed-session-of-opec-oil-ministers-september-15-2004-venezuela-will-not-object-to-a-rise-in-opecs-formal-output-ceiling-at-wednesdays-meeting-energy-and-mines-minister-rafael-ramirez-said-reutersheinz-peter-bader-hpbsm-2cpmgae.jpg)
Venezuelan Energy and Mines Minister Rafael Ramirez arrives in front of Vienna's OPEC headquarters for a closed session of OPEC oil ministers September 15, 2004. Venezuela will not object to a rise
![A worker walks at a gas station of the state oil company PDVSA in Caracas December 16, 2013. Venezuela's Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said on Monday the country should begin a discussion A worker walks at a gas station of the state oil company PDVSA in Caracas December 16, 2013. Venezuela's Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said on Monday the country should begin a discussion](https://c8.alamy.com/compfr/2cy4r8f/a-worker-walks-at-a-gas-station-of-the-state-oil-company-pdvsa-in-caracas-december-16-2013-venezuelas-oil-minister-rafael-ramirez-said-on-monday-the-country-should-begin-a-discussion-about-boosting-the-highly-subsidized-price-of-fuel-which-is-the-currently-cheapest-in-the-world-the-fuel-subsidy-generates-losses-of-12-5-billion-per-year-he-said-authorities-have-been-reluctant-to-raise-prices-because-of-riots-in-1989-that-were-partly-triggered-by-a-fuel-price-hike-reuters-carlos-garcia-rawlins-venezuela-tags-politics-energy-business-2cy4r8f.jpg)
A worker walks at a gas station of the state oil company PDVSA in Caracas December 16, 2013. Venezuela's Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said on Monday the country should begin a discussion
![Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez (L) talks to the media beside Italy's Eni Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni during an agreement-signing ceremony at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez (L) talks to the media beside Italy's Eni Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni during an agreement-signing ceremony at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D0DNJ9/venezuelas-energy-minister-rafael-ramirez-l-talks-to-the-media-beside-italys-eni-chief-executive-paolo-scaroni-during-an-agreement-signing-ceremony-at-the-headquarters-of-the-state-run-oil-company-pdvsa-in-caracas-july-14-2011-venezuelas-state-oil-company-pdvsa-and-italys-eni-will-begin-early-production-from-their-junin-5-block-next-year-and-hope-to-reach-240000-barrels-per-day-by-2018-ramirez-said-on-thursday-reuterscarlos-garcia-rawlins-venezuela-tags-politics-energy-business-2D0DNJ9.jpg)
Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez (L) talks to the media beside Italy's Eni Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni during an agreement-signing ceremony at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas
![Rafael Ramirez (L), 31, and Alejandro Diaz, 27, prepare to leave their home to tie the knot in Mexico City March 16, 2007. The two gay lawyers celebrated their civil union in Rafael Ramirez (L), 31, and Alejandro Diaz, 27, prepare to leave their home to tie the knot in Mexico City March 16, 2007. The two gay lawyers celebrated their civil union in](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2E6P8T1/rafael-ramirez-l-31-and-alejandro-diaz-27-prepare-to-leave-their-home-to-tie-the-knot-in-mexico-city-march-16-2007-the-two-gay-lawyers-celebrated-their-civil-union-in-mexico-city-on-friday-becoming-the-first-legally-recognized-homosexual-couple-in-the-traditionally-macho-capital-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-catholic-countries-reutersdaniel-aguilar-mexico-2E6P8T1.jpg)
Rafael Ramirez (L), 31, and Alejandro Diaz, 27, prepare to leave their home to tie the knot in Mexico City March 16, 2007. The two gay lawyers celebrated their civil union in
![Rafael Ramirez (L) and his partner Sebastian A. Becerril enjoy an evening at a gay bar in Mexico City December 11, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted to extend gay couples full marriage Rafael Ramirez (L) and his partner Sebastian A. Becerril enjoy an evening at a gay bar in Mexico City December 11, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted to extend gay couples full marriage](https://c8.alamy.com/compfr/2d225fw/rafael-ramirez-l-and-his-partner-sebastian-a-becerril-enjoy-an-evening-at-a-gay-bar-in-mexico-city-december-11-2009-mexico-citys-assembly-voted-to-extend-gay-couples-full-marriage-rights-on-december-21-2009-in-a-landmark-law-that-is-the-first-of-its-kind-in-latin-america-a-traditionally-macho-and-catholic-region-the-bill-takes-a-2006-law-allowing-civil-unions-by-allowing-gay-couples-to-access-family-social-security-benefits-and-apply-for-joint-credits-as-if-they-were-a-straight-couple-picture-taken-december-11-2009-reuters-daniel-aguilar-mexico-tags-politics-society-2d225fw.jpg)
Rafael Ramirez (L) and his partner Sebastian A. Becerril enjoy an evening at a gay bar in Mexico City December 11, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted to extend gay couples full marriage
![Argentine Planning Minister Julio de Vido (L) walks with Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez before the opening ceremony of the first South American Energy Council meeting in Caracas May 8, 2008. REUTERS/Jorge Argentine Planning Minister Julio de Vido (L) walks with Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez before the opening ceremony of the first South American Energy Council meeting in Caracas May 8, 2008. REUTERS/Jorge](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D2WXC2/argentine-planning-minister-julio-de-vido-l-walks-with-venezuelan-energy-minister-rafael-ramirez-before-the-opening-ceremony-of-the-first-south-american-energy-council-meeting-in-caracas-may-8-2008-reutersjorge-silva-venezuela-2D2WXC2.jpg)
Argentine Planning Minister Julio de Vido (L) walks with Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez before the opening ceremony of the first South American Energy Council meeting in Caracas May 8, 2008. REUTERS/Jorge
![Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (L) speaks with the Venezuela's Minister of Energy and Petroleum Rafael Ramirez (R) during a ceremony at Miraflores Palace in Caracas February 10, 2010. Venezuela on Wednesday awarded Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (L) speaks with the Venezuela's Minister of Energy and Petroleum Rafael Ramirez (R) during a ceremony at Miraflores Palace in Caracas February 10, 2010. Venezuela on Wednesday awarded](https://c8.alamy.com/compfr/2d2rmjn/venezuelas-president-hugo-chavez-l-speaks-with-the-venezuelas-minister-of-energy-and-petroleum-rafael-ramirez-r-during-a-ceremony-at-miraflores-palace-in-caracas-february-10-2010-venezuela-on-wednesday-awarded-a-project-in-the-orinoco-belt-to-a-consortium-including-chevron-venezuelas-suelopetrol-and-japanese-companies-mitsubishi-jogmec-and-inpex-as-part-of-the-carabobo-auction-an-official-announcing-the-auction-results-said-venezuela-would-receive-a-500-million-bonus-from-that-consortium-reuters-carlos-garcia-rawlins-venezuela-tags-politics-energy-business-2d2rmjn.jpg)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (L) speaks with the Venezuela's Minister of Energy and Petroleum Rafael Ramirez (R) during a ceremony at Miraflores Palace in Caracas February 10, 2010. Venezuela on Wednesday awarded
![Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez speaks during the presentation of the 2013 results at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas June 27, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez speaks during the presentation of the 2013 results at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas June 27, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA -](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2CYYHGC/venezuelan-energy-minister-rafael-ramirez-speaks-during-the-presentation-of-the-2013-results-at-the-headquarters-of-the-state-run-oil-company-pdvsa-in-caracas-june-27-2014-reuterscarlos-garcia-rawlins-venezuela-tags-business-politics-energy-2CYYHGC.jpg)
Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez speaks during the presentation of the 2013 results at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas June 27, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA -
![Venezuela's new Energy and Mines Minister Rafael Ramirez smiles before taking his oath of office in Caracas July 19, 2002. After being sworn in, Ramirez said he would continue to maintain the Venezuela's new Energy and Mines Minister Rafael Ramirez smiles before taking his oath of office in Caracas July 19, 2002. After being sworn in, Ramirez said he would continue to maintain the](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D3N6TX/venezuelas-new-energy-and-mines-minister-rafael-ramirez-smiles-before-taking-his-oath-of-office-in-caracas-july-19-2002-after-being-sworn-in-ramirez-said-he-would-continue-to-maintain-the-governments-oil-policy-and-support-for-opec-reuterskimberly-white-kw-2D3N6TX.jpg)
Venezuela's new Energy and Mines Minister Rafael Ramirez smiles before taking his oath of office in Caracas July 19, 2002. After being sworn in, Ramirez said he would continue to maintain the
![Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez speaks to the media during an agreement-signing ceremony at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas June 28, 2011. Venezuela formalized a $1.5 billion Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez speaks to the media during an agreement-signing ceremony at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas June 28, 2011. Venezuela formalized a $1.5 billion](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2CX5B7C/venezuelan-energy-minister-rafael-ramirez-speaks-to-the-media-during-an-agreement-signing-ceremony-at-the-headquarters-of-the-state-run-oil-company-pdvsa-in-caracas-june-28-2011-venezuela-formalized-a-15-billion-oil-loan-with-japan-on-tuesday-to-be-repaid-with-crude-over-15-years-at-a-rate-of-libor-plus-38-percent-ramirez-said-the-money-would-be-used-to-expand-capacity-at-the-el-palito-and-puerto-la-cruz-refineries-to-280000-barrels-per-day-and-210000-bpd-respectively-reuterscarlos-garcia-rawlins-venezuela-tags-politics-energy-business-2CX5B7C.jpg)