Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has appointed General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez as the new defense minister, replacing General Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who held the position for over a decade. This change was confirmed by Venezuelan state communications and reported by Reuters on March 18, 2026. Rodriguez announced the appointment while thanking Padrino for his service and indicating he would receive new responsibilities.
New Defense Minister Has Sanctions for Human Rights Violations
General Gonzalez Lopez, 65, previously served as head of the presidential guard and the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). He was appointed to those roles in January 2026 by Rodriguez. Gonzalez Lopez is under sanctions from the United States and the European Union due to accusations of human rights abuses and corruption. He also worked with Rodriguez at PDVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, in a strategic affairs role when she oversaw the energy ministry.
Former Defense Minister Faced U.S. Sanctions Over Corruption and Drug Trafficking Links
General Vladimir Padrino Lopez, the outgoing defense minister, has been sanctioned by the U.S. government for alleged corruption and involvement with drug trafficking networks. He was a longtime loyalist of former President Nicolas Maduro. Despite U.S. sanctions and diplomatic tensions, Venezuela’s military and security institutions have remained largely intact, with the United Nations recently noting the persistence of Maduro’s repressive apparatus. The Venezuelan government has denied allegations of human rights abuses and political repression.
This cabinet reshuffle occurs amid a recent restoration of U.S.-Venezuela diplomatic relations following years of strained interactions between the two countries. The appointment of a sanctioned military intelligence chief as defense minister marks a significant move in the Venezuelan government’s ongoing security and political strategy under Rodriguez’s interim presidency.
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