PREVIEW

Venezuela Acting President Delcy Rodríguez Replaces Defense Minister With Intelligence Chief. Delcy Rodríguez appointed Gustavo González López as the new defense minister, replacing Vladimir Padrino López. The move ends Padrino’s 11-year tenure as a powerful military figure under former president Nicolás Maduro. González López, a longtime intelligence official, previously led military counterintelligence and the presidential guard. He has been sanctioned by the U.S. and EU over alleged human rights abuses and corruption. The reshuffle is seen as Rodríguez’s most significant cabinet change since taking power after Maduro’s ouster. Analysts say the appointment strengthens her control over the armed forces during a fragile political transition. Despite the change, sources suggest Venezuela’s policy toward U.S. demands on oil and political prisoners will remain largely unchanged. The overhaul reflects a broader effort by Rodríguez to consolidate authority and manage relations with Washington through trusted allies.
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