![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
![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)
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
![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
![Venezuela's oil minister Rafael Ramirez arrives at OPEC's headquarters for a meeting of OPEC oil ministers in Vienna March 8, 2006. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader Stock Photo - Alamy Venezuela's oil minister Rafael Ramirez arrives at OPEC's headquarters for a meeting of OPEC oil ministers in Vienna March 8, 2006. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader Stock Photo - Alamy](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2E73WPB/venezuelas-oil-minister-rafael-ramirez-arrives-at-opecs-headquarters-for-a-meeting-of-opec-oil-ministers-in-vienna-march-8-2006-reutersheinz-peter-bader-2E73WPB.jpg)
Venezuela's oil minister Rafael Ramirez arrives at OPEC's headquarters for a meeting of OPEC oil ministers in Vienna March 8, 2006. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader 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
![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
![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
![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
![Venezuela's Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez (L) attends the 146th meeting of the OPEC conference in Abu Dhabi December 5, 2007. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Stock Photo - Alamy Venezuela's Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez (L) attends the 146th meeting of the OPEC conference in Abu Dhabi December 5, 2007. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Stock Photo - Alamy](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D24AW7/venezuelas-oil-minister-rafael-ramirez-l-attends-the-146th-meeting-of-the-opec-conference-in-abu-dhabi-december-5-2007-reutersahmed-jadallah-united-arab-emirates-2D24AW7.jpg)
Venezuela's Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez (L) attends the 146th meeting of the OPEC conference in Abu Dhabi December 5, 2007. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Stock Photo - Alamy
![Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin (C) and Venezuela's Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez (R) arrive to their meeting in Caracas December 15, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS Stock Photo - Alamy Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin (C) and Venezuela's Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez (R) arrive to their meeting in Caracas December 15, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS Stock Photo - Alamy](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2E60BXX/russias-deputy-prime-minister-dmitry-rogozin-c-and-venezuelas-foreign-minister-rafael-ramirez-r-arrive-to-their-meeting-in-caracas-december-15-2014-reuterscarlos-garcia-rawlins-venezuela-tags-politics-2E60BXX.jpg)
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin (C) and Venezuela's Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez (R) arrive to their meeting in Caracas December 15, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS Stock Photo - Alamy
![Italy's Eni Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni (R) and Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez shake hands during an agreement-signing ceremony at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas July 14, Italy's Eni Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni (R) and Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez shake hands during an agreement-signing ceremony at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas July 14,](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2CY72H4/italys-eni-chief-executive-paolo-scaroni-r-and-venezuelas-energy-minister-rafael-ramirez-shake-hands-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-2CY72H4.jpg)
Italy's Eni Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni (R) and Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez shake hands during an agreement-signing ceremony at the headquarters of the state-run oil company PDVSA in Caracas July 14,
![Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez talks to the media in front of a giant picture of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a news conference at the headquarters of the state-run oil company Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez talks to the media in front of a giant picture of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a news conference at the headquarters of the state-run oil company](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2D07GYE/venezuelas-energy-minister-rafael-ramirez-talks-to-the-media-in-front-of-a-giant-picture-of-venezuelas-president-hugo-chavez-during-a-news-conference-at-the-headquarters-of-the-state-run-oil-company-pdvsa-in-caracas-february-13-2013-reuterscarlos-garcia-rawlins-venezuela-tags-politics-energy-2D07GYE.jpg)
Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez talks to the media in front of a giant picture of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a news conference at the headquarters of the state-run oil company
![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
![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
![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
![Sebastian A. Becerril (L) lights the cigarette of his partner Rafael Ramirez in Mexico City December 11, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted to extend gay couples full marriage rights on December 21, Sebastian A. Becerril (L) lights the cigarette of his partner Rafael Ramirez in Mexico City December 11, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted to extend gay couples full marriage rights on December 21,](https://c8.alamy.com/compfr/2d1r2d1/sebastian-a-becerril-l-lights-the-cigarette-of-his-partner-rafael-ramirez-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-2d1r2d1.jpg)
Sebastian A. Becerril (L) lights the cigarette of his partner Rafael Ramirez in Mexico City December 11, 2009. Mexico City's assembly voted to extend gay couples full marriage rights on December 21,
![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) 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
![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)