VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro announced a sweeping cabinet reshuffle and government shake-up on Wednesday.

Vice-President Aristobulo Isturiz was replaced after just a year by Aragua state Governor Tareck el-Assaimi, from the reformist wing of the ruling United Socialist Party.

Mr Isturiz, a popular former teachers’ union leader whose appointment was seen as a hedge against a successful opposition-led presidential recall referendum campaign, will become minister for communities and social movements.