Venezuela’s oil czar resigns amid corruption investigations

Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami, the man responsible for running Venezuela’s oil industry has quit amid investigations into alleged corruption among public officials. El Aissami's announcement shocked the country as he was seen as a loyal ruling party member and considered a key figure in the government's efforts to evade punishing international economic sanctions.

Hours after, President Nicolás Maduro called his government's fight against corruption “bitter” and “painful” and accepted El Aissami’s resignation. Venezuela’s National Anti-Corruption Police last week announced an investigation into unidentified public officials in the oil industry, the justice system, and some local governments.