There has been lots going on here of late: elections, celebrations, unified party, ministry shuffling, a request for enabling laws, and early discussions of constitutional reform…

Overall, it’s going quite well. But not perfect.

Specifically, here’s a sort of balance sheet for the ministerial shuffle:

—The Good:

-Jorge Rodriguez, the new vice president is excellent. Impeccable revolutionary creds. And he’s a bit of an outsider from the parties (his only post having been head of the Electoral Commission). Also good that he’s overseeing the police reform, which is incredibly important.}

-David Velasquez, new minister for participation and social development. First communist to ever hold a ministerial post. Also quite a good one: wrote the law on communal councils, crucial for deepening the revolution.

-Erick Rodriguez, new minister of health. Known to be quite radical, founded a dissident group of 12 hardline deputies in the assembly.

-Nicia Maldonado, new minster for indigenous peoples. This is a newly-created post, nuff said.

—The Bad:

-Pedro Carreño, new minister of the interior and justice. Known to be pretty dubious… and this is a powerful post. Luckily, the VP will be heading up the police reform, but Carreño will still run the also crucial prison reform.

-Nicolas Maduro kept his job as foreign minister. Tough talking moderate.

-Adan Chavez, new minister of education. Chavez’s brother, former ambassador to Cuba. Evidently ineffective as an administrator, and some would argue that he’s living quite well off the process.

-