Maduro’s Military Shake-Up: What You Need to Know
Padrino López has been Defense Minister since October 2014
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros recently announced a major reshuffle within the Bolivarian Armed Forces, keeping Vladimir Padrino López as Defense Minister. The changes include new appointments in the Army, Navy, Air Force, DGCIM, and Sebin.
Despite the reshuffle, the US-sanctioned General Domingo Antonio Hernández Larez continues as Ceofanb’s Strategic Operational Commander. Other key appointments include Johan Hernández Lárez as Army General Commander and Admiral Ashraf Andel Hadi Suleimán Gutiérrez as Navy head.
Maduro’s decisions come after multiple arrests in the military leadership, with Major General Javier Marcano Tábata and Major General Alexis Rodríguez Cabello taking charge of DGCIM and Sebin, respectively.
As Maduro aims for security and peace, opposition leader María Corina Machado urges the FANB not to support a regime she believes is on the decline.