On Wednesday, March 18, Venenzuela’s interim president, Rodriguez, appointed intelligence chief Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez to replace General Vladimir Padrino, who had served as Defense Minister for more than 11 years. This is the most significant cabinet reshuffle in Venezuela since Maduro was ousted, marking a major shift in the country’s political landscape.
Delcy Rodriguez, the interim president of Venezuela, announced on Wednesday that General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez would replace General Vladimir Padrino as the Defense Minister. Padrino had held the position for over 11 years.
This personnel change is considered the most important in Rodriguez’s cabinet so far, signifying the demotion of a key figure who had long held influence over Venezuela’s massive military forces.
Rodriguez expressed her gratitude towards Padrino for his loyalty and contribution to the nation in a post on Telegram and stated that he would be given new responsibilities.
On January 3 of this year, in a raid by the US military, the former president of Venezuela, Maduro, was captured, and Rodriguez took on the role of interim president. She then appointed Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez as the director of the Presidential Guard and the Military Counterintelligence General Directorate.
Gonzalez Lopez has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for human rights violations and corrupt practices, along with at least six other senior officials. He previously served as the head of the Venezuelan domestic intelligence agency until mid-2024. Later that year, he began working alongside Rodriguez, serving as the head of strategic affairs for the Venezuelan state-owned oil company, PDVSA. Rodriguez, who once served as the Minister of Energy, was responsible for overseeing the company.
Padrino, also sanctioned by the US for alleged involvement in drug trafficking and support for the ousted Maduro, rose in ranks significantly during Maduro’s tenure. Maduro appointed him as Defense Minister at the end of 2014.
Sources had previously told Reuters that Padrino was likely to be replaced, and the reason he remained in his position after Maduro’s capture was to ensure the stability of the military.
The Venezuelan military consists of around 2,000 generals who control various units with meager salaries and vast commercial interests. Shortly after Maduro’s arrest, Padrino made an appearance on national television, claiming that Venezuela would resist foreign military forces and that his army was preparing for “guerrilla-style” attacks to counter any “invasion.”
However, he later cooperated with Rodriguez, meeting some of the demands from the US related to oil, mining, and the release of political prisoners.