Vladimir 1; Ernesto, 2
Just like someone asks someone to dance and is told no, but then insists with another person and is told yes. That's how Ernesto Villegas managed to get back on the executive train of Chavismo, this time that of the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez.
TL;DR
- Ernesto Villegas appointed Venezuela's permanent representative to UNESCO.
- Villegas has held multiple ministerial roles since 2012, including Minister of Culture and Minister of Communication and Information.
- During his tenure as Minister of Communication, he was the main spokesperson for Hugo Chávez's health status and created the Bolivarian System of Communication and Information (SiBCI).
- The US OFAC imposed sanctions on Villegas in November 2017.
- Villegas withdrew his candidacy for Ombudsman after apologizing to the family of Juan Pablo Pernalete, who died during 2017 anti-government protests.
- Villegas initially claimed Pernalete died from a bolt pistol, contrary to the initial findings of the former Attorney General.
- The government later acknowledged Pernalete was killed by a tear gas canister fired by the National Guard.
- Villegas attributed his withdrawal from the Ombudsman race to seeking consensus.
- He later criticized Venevisión for reporting a power outage.
- The article notes the hostile environment for journalism in Venezuela, with restrictive laws in place.