19.03.2026 00:48
Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced that Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who has been in office since 2014 and is alleged to have served as a bridge between the political power and the military during Maduro's era, has been dismissed and replaced by Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez.
A new name change has occurred in the Venezuelan government.
DISMISSED THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced that a new minister has been appointed to replace Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who has been in office since 2014. In a statement on her social media account, Rodriguez stated that Vladimir Padrino Lopez has been appointed to the position of Venezuelan Defense Minister, saying, "Today I want to inform the entire country that I have appointed Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez as the Minister of Defense."
Delcy Rodriguez Rodriguez stated, "We thank Vladimir Padrino Lopez for his dedication, loyalty to his country, and for being the foremost soldier in the defense of our country throughout all these years. We are confident that the new minister will undertake the new responsibilities entrusted to him with the same commitment and honor." Interim President Rodriguez did not share any details regarding whether a new position would be given to the dismissed minister.
It is known that Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez has served as the Commander of the Honor Guard of the Venezuelan Presidency and the Director of the Military Counterintelligence General Directorate since January 6, 2026.
FORMER MINISTER VLADIMIR PADRINO LOPEZ It is known that Vladimir Padrino Lopez was the longest-serving defense minister in Venezuela's recent history until his dismissal today. Former Minister Lopez has held the position of Minister of Defense since October 2014.
Lopez emerged as an official serving as a bridge between political power and the military during the presidency of Nicolas Maduro. The former minister was regarded as a key figure in maintaining the integrity of the Venezuelan military in the face of mass protests and international sanctions.
It is known that the U.S. Department of Justice has placed a $15 million reward for Lopez's capture and alleged that he is connected to drug trafficking. Additionally, the United Nations (UN) and similar organizations have held him responsible for the suppression of violent protests that took place in Venezuela in 2017.