Meet Samuel Moncada, Venezuela's New Foreign Minister

On Wednesday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro named Samuel Moncada as the country's new foreign minister.

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He will succeed Delcy Rodriguez, who ended her term Wednesday after defending her country from attacks by the United States, Canada and their right-wing Latin American allies at the Organization of American States, OAS, General Assembly this week. Rodriguez held her position since December 2014.

Moncada, the son of a Venezuelan colonel, has served as Venezuela's ambassador to the Permanent Council of the OAS since March 27. He also served as head of the Presidential Commission to the Non-Aligned Movement.

He was appointed ambassador of Venezuela at the U.N. and has represented the South American country as ambassador to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

Prior to his diplomatic career, he headed the Ministry of Higher Education and served as director of the School of History of the Central University of Venezuela.

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During a string of radio and television announcements, Maduro stated that he asked Moncada “to assume the head role at the Foreign Ministry of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to maintain the struggle of truth in defense of our homeland in the world.”

For her part, Rodriguez, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs since December 2014, is set to participate as a candidate for the Constituent Assembly.

Speaking about Rodriguez, Maduro stated that she “truly deserves nationwide recognition for the way she defended the sovereignty, peace and independence of Venezuela.”

“Congratulations to comrade Delcy Rodriguez,” Maduro added, saying that she accomplished her mission.