The president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, dismissed Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on Wednesday, who was at the head of the ideologized armed forces for more than a decade.
Padrino, 62, was considered a faithful ally of Nicolás Maduro, who ruled Venezuela with an iron fist. since 2013 until its capture by the United States in a military operation on January 3. His dismissal comes amid celebrations for Venezuela’s first title in the World Baseball Classic.
You may also be interested in: Russia assures that it will continue to give all necessary support to Cuba
“We thank G/J (General in Chief) Vladimir Padrino López for his dedication, his loyalty to the Homeland and working during all these years, as the first soldier in the defense of our country”, Rodríguez wrote on Telegram.
Moments later, Godfather He thanked him for “all the support provided.”
“It has been the highest honor of my life to serve the Homeland as a soldier, and protect peace and national unity during all these years at the head of the Ministry of Popular Power for Defense,” Padrino wrote on Telegram.
The president in charge appointed in his place General-in-Chief Gustavo González López, whom she had appointed in charge of the presidential guard and the feared counterintelligence agency DGCIM a few days after assuming power.
Rodríguez on the same Wednesday announced two replacements for those positions.
Previously, González headed the intelligence service (Sebin).
“Incorporating him into the cabinet is the continuity of the same apparatus with another title. There can be no real re-institutionalization as long as those who directed the repression retain shares of power,” denounced Provea, an NGO that defends human rights.
Rodríguez also named this Wednesday new ministers for the portfolios of Electric Energy, Housing, Transportation and Labor.
Leave a Reply