Chávez brother takes key job in Venezuela

A younger brother of Vene-zuelan President Hugo Chávez has been appointed to a key post in the government ministry in charge of electricity.

Argenis Chávez is taking on the job of national commissioner for power generation.

The state-run Venezuelan News Agency reports that Electricity Minister Ali Rodriguez announced the appointment last Thursday.

Two recent blackouts hit large swaths of Venezuela and officials say they are working to address growing demand and insufficient power output by upgrading some plants.

Argenis Chávez is an engineer. Rodriguez says he is taking on an "enormous challenge" in his new post.

- AP