President reshuffles his Cabinet as showdown intensifies

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro named two university academics to major economic posts in a Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday that came as a showdown intensified between his government and a new opposition-led legislature.

In a lengthy speech to the nation, the leader named Rodolfo Medina as finance minister and Luis Salas to head a new ministry for economic productivity.

He also ratified Eulogio Del Pino as head of state oil company PDVSA and oil minister.