Exclusive-Venezuela's Maduro plans to replace Oil Minister El Aissami -sources

FILE PHOTO: Venezuelan economy vice president Tareck El Aissami attends a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia June 6, 2019. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

CARACAS (Reuters) -Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro plans to replace Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami - a key ruling party official who also serves Venezuela's OPEC representative and board member of the state oil company - because of health issues, eight sources close to the decision said.

In recent weeks, El Aissami's health has deteriorated, which could render him unable to fulfill his ministerial duties at least temporarily, according to the sources, all of whom asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.