Delcy Rodríguez replaces Venezuela’s top military commanders

Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, replaced the country's senior military commanders, continuing a series of changes since Nicolás Maduro's ousting. The announcement followed the dismissal of the defense minister and his replacement with a former intelligence chief. Rodríguez, who assumed leadership after a US special forces raid on January 3rd, faces the challenge of governing a nation with vast oil reserves but a struggling economy. Under US pressure, she has implemented an amnesty law for political prisoners and altered oil and mining regulations. While Donald Trump asserts US influence over Venezuela, Rodríguez navigates the delicate balance of satisfying both the US and Maduro loyalists. The Venezuelan military, a powerful entity overseeing key sectors, has pledged allegiance to Rodríguez.

Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's interim President, announced the replacement of longtime Defence Minister General Vladimir Padrino, a key figure in Nicolas Maduro's administration. Padrino, who held the position for 11 years since 2014, is being reassigned to unspecified "new responsibilities." No reason was given for the change. Padrino's departure follows other recent high-level government shake-ups, including the departure of the government ombudsman and the resignation of the attorney general. Padrino's tenure as Defence Minister was marked by accusations of military corruption and abuses, including violent crackdowns on protesters, as well as the military's increasing influence in key economic sectors.