Acting President Delcy Rodriguez appoints General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez as defence minister, replacing long-time powerbroker Vladimir Padrino in a major cabinet shift.
CARACAS: Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez has appointed a new defence minister, marking the most significant cabinet change since she took power.
General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez replaces General Vladimir Padrino, a key figure who controlled the military for 11 years under ousted leader Nicolas Maduro.
Rodriguez announced the move in a Telegram post, thanking Padrino for his service and stating he would be given new responsibilities.
Gonzalez Lopez, who is sanctioned by the US and EU for rights violations and corruption, was appointed head of the presidential guard and military counterintelligence in January.
He previously served as Venezuela’s domestic intelligence director until mid-2024 before working with Rodriguez at state oil company PDVSA.
A source told Reuters the promotion is not expected to significantly alter Rodriguez’s policy of complying with US demands on oil and political prisoners.
“I see it as a situation in which the entire relationship with the Americans is concentrated in a few people, and they are the ones they trust the most,” the source said.
Sources indicated Gonzalez Lopez’s earlier appointment to key security roles was a move to counter potential threats from hardline interior minister Diosdado Cabello.
Cabello has close ties to security services and motorcycle gangs accused of killing opposition supporters, though he has publicly supported Rodriguez.
Rodriguez also announced that naval admiral German Gomez Larez will lead the military counterintelligence directorate, replacing Gonzalez Lopez.
General Henry Navas will take command of the presidential guard, completing the reshuffle of top security positions.
Padrino, who is also under US sanctions, was defence minister since late 2014 and was kept in place after Maduro’s capture to ensure military stability.
He appeared on state television after Maduro’s capture to vow resistance against foreign troops and prepare for guerrilla-style attacks.
Padrino stated it was “the greatest honor of my life to serve the nation” and congratulated his successor, whom he has known since their military academy days.
The United Nations said last week that Venezuela’s repressive state apparatus remains intact despite the US intervention.
Venezuela’s government has consistently denied allegations of human rights abuses and military corruption.