Guaido said Wednesday that the National Assembly has appointed six executives to a transitional board for its PDVSA state-owned oil company and its U.S. subsidiaries, including Houston-based refiner Citgo. (Ariana Cubillos/AP)CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s opposition-controlled National Assembly appointed a transitional board of directors for the state oil company Wednesday, in a bid by congress chief Juan Guaido to gain control of an industry that is the economic backbone of the country. CITGO for Venezuelans,” tweeted Guaido, who is leading a rejuvenated opposition effort to push socialist President Nicolas Maduro from power. Maduro has previously accused the U.S. and Venezuela’s opposition of trying to stage a coup to oust him. Wresting control of Venezuela’s oil industry is a key goal of Guaido as the opposition seeks to remove Maduro, who so far as retained the support of the courts, administration officials and, most importantly, the military.

Source: Washington Post February 13, 2019 16:52 UTC