Venezuelan UN Mission, on December 4, 2017 he confirmed that he had resigned from the UN post at the request of the Venezuelan president. Professional career Mechanical engineer from Universidad de los Andes (ULA). Master's degree in energy from Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV). Sanctions The Government of Canada sanctioned Ramírez in November 2017 as being someone who participated in "significant acts of corruption or who have been involved in serious violations of human rights". He is also banned from entering neighboring Colombia. The Colombian government maintains a list of people banned from entering Colombia or subject to expulsion; as of January 2019, the list had 200 people with a "close relationship and support for the Nicolás Maduro regime". See also List of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela List of foreign ministers in 2014 References External links PDVSA.com Bio Venezuela's CITGO to Provide Cheap Gas for U.S. Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Schools World Energy Magazine – Venezuela: A Factor for Energy Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean http://www.guia.com.ve/noti/30003/rafael-ramirez-gana-mas-de-30000-dolares-al-mes Last known salary of Rafael Ramirez Living people Central University of Venezuela alumni Venezuelan engineers Venezuelan defectors Government ministers of Venezuela 1963 births Permanent Representatives of Venezuela to the United Nations Venezuelan Ministers of Foreign Affairs People of the Crisis in Venezuela Presidents of PDVSA