Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, a close associate of Nicolas Maduro who held the position for 11 years, has been removed from his post, acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced on social media.
„We thank General Vladimir Padrino Lopez for his dedication to the nation and for being the first soldier to defend our country all these years. We are confident that he will assume his new responsibilities with the same dedication and honor,” Rodriguez wrote.
Padrino Lopez’s post has been replaced by General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, the Venezuelan leader wrote.
In January, Rodriguez appointed Gonzalez Lopez, 65, as head of the Presidential Guard and the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence.