Venezuela seeks Interpol red alert for ex-oil czar Ramirez

By Brian Ellsworth and Marianna ParragaCARACAS/HOUSTON (Reuters) - Venezuelan authorities said on Thursday they were seeking an Interpol red alert for ex-oil czar Rafael Ramirez on corruption charges, heightening tensions between the former political heavyweight and the country's socialist government.Ramirez, who headed the powerful oil ministry and state energy firm PDVSA [PDVSA.UL] for a decade, is a longtime rival of President Nicolas Maduro who has become more critical of his handling of the