Jan. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will likely name General Jorge Garcia Carneiro as the country's defense minister, replacing retired army General Jose Luis Prieto, El Universal reported, without saying how it obtained the information.

Garcia Carneiro is presently the chief of the nation's army, the newspaper said. General Raul Baduel will be named as army chief of staff, the newspaper said.

The paper didn't say how it obtained the information.

Garcia Carneiro will be Chavez's fourth defense minister since a military coup in April 2002 removed him from power for two days.

(EU 1/7 1-4) To see El Universal's Web site, click on {EUDC <GO>}

Last Updated: January 7, 2004 08:39 EST