US EditionVenezuela's acting president replaces long-time defense minister with intelligence head
Delcy Rodríguez replaced long-serving minister Padrino with Gonzalez López, consolidating control amid sanctions and political tensions after U.S. capture of Maduro in January.
- On Wednesday, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced that General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez will replace General Vladimir Padrino as defense minister, a position Padrino held for more than 11 years.
- Retained after the foreign capture of President Nicolas Maduro to maintain military stability, Padrino previously directed the presidential guard under President Hugo Chavez and rose to prominence in 2014.
- Rodriguez appointed General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, who previously headed the General Directorate and Military Counterintelligence and served as strategic affairs lead at PDVSA; he faces international sanctions for rights violations.
- This cabinet change marks the demotion of a long-time powerbroker who controlled the sprawling military, despite Padrino's recent cooperation with foreign demands on oil, mining, and political prisoner releases.
- The United Nations reported last week that the repressive apparatus remains intact despite foreign intervention, as generals continue to manage disparate groups of troops and vast business interests.
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182 Articles
Maduro's Longtime Defense Chief Vladimir Padrino López Out in Major Venezuela Regime Shakeup
Socialist “Interim President” of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez on Wednesday replaced Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López — a longtime top figure in the regime of dictator Nicolás Maduro. The post Maduro’s Longtime Defense Chief Vladimir Padrino López Out in Major Venezuela Regime Shakeup appeared first on Breitbart.
Venezuela: Acting President Rodríguez Appoints New Defense Minister, More Cabinet Changes
The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, has appointed General Gustavo González as the new defense minister, replacing Vladimir Padrino, who has held the position since 2014. The acting president thanked Padrino for his service, his loyalty to the nation, and his unwavering commitment as a first-rate soldier in the defense of Venezuela. During her announcement this Wednesday, March 18, Rodríguez highlighted Padrino’s “dedication, his …
Caracas. The president in charge, Delcy Rodríguez, announced changes in the executive cabinet, including the dismissal of Defense Minister Vladimir Godrino López, who was 12 years old in office.
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