Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriquez and Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino Lopez during a military parade at the inauguration of Victory Square, in Caracas on May, 13, 2025. JUAN BARRETO / AFP
Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez announced the sacking Wednesday, March 18, of defense minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who headed the country's military for almost a decade under ousted leader Nicolas Maduro.
Rodriguez, who took over after Maduro was deposed by US forces in January, thanked Lopez for his "dedication, his loyalty to the homeland, and for having served all these years as the foremost soldier in the defense of the country."
However, she did not give any explanation for the change in the important post.
Padrino said on Telegram it had been "the honor of my life" to serve in the post and to "protect peace and national unity." The 62-year-old had held the position since 2014 and was considered Maduro's key ally within the military high command.
