Venezuela’s Acting Leader Replaces Defense Minister in Cabinet Overhaul

Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez has appointed a new defense minister, removing Gen. Vladimir Padrino López who was a key military supporter of former President Nicolás Maduro. The change comes over ten weeks after Rodríguez took power following Maduro's capture by U.S. forces in January.

CARACAS, Venezuela — In a significant government restructuring on Wednesday, Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez replaced the nation’s defense minister, removing a key military figure who had been instrumental in supporting former President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

Using her Telegram channel to make the announcement, Rodríguez revealed that Gen. Gustavo González López would immediately take over the defense ministry position. The move removes Gen. Vladimir Padrino López, who had been a crucial pillar of military backing for Maduro’s administration. In her statement, Rodríguez expressed gratitude to Padrino López for his “loyalty to the Homeland” while voicing optimism about his future contributions.

This cabinet reshuffle occurs more than ten weeks following Rodríguez’s assumption of leadership after U.S. military forces captured Maduro on January 3rd to face drug trafficking charges in American courts.

The Trump administration has intensified its efforts to pressure remaining Maduro supporters who continue to control the petroleum-rich South American nation.

The newly appointed González López brings significant intelligence experience to his role, though he previously faced American sanctions due to his involvement in suppressing street demonstrations in 2014. Following Rodríguez’s security reorganization on January 6th, he has been leading both the presidential honor guard and the military’s intimidating counterintelligence division.

Padrino López had maintained his cabinet position as one of the most enduring ministers since Maduro assumed power in 2013, serving as defense minister continuously since his 2014 appointment, making him among Venezuela’s longest-tenured defense officials.