Venezuela Interim President Ousts Defense Minister Amid Military Shakeup
Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has dismissed Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, replacing him with General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez. Lopez currently oversees multiple critical security roles, including military counterintelligence and the presidential guard, positioning him as a powerful figure within Venezuela's defense establishment. This leadership change comes in the aftermath of a U.S. military operation on January 3 that captured former President Nicolas Maduro, who now faces drug trafficking charges in the United States. Rodriguez assumed interim leadership following Maduro’s arrest, and the reshuffle appears to reinforce her authority over the military amid continued political uncertainty. The move affects Venezuela’s military... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Mar 2026 10:57
