CARACAS, Venezuela – In a stunning shift of power, Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez has dismissed longtime Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, a figure widely considered the most loyal military leader to Nicolás Maduro. The move, announced Wednesday, comes just over two months after a reported military action by the United States resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, according to reports.
Padrino López’s removal marks the end of an era, as he served as Minister of Defense for over a decade, beginning in October 2014 – the longest tenure in the history of the position. His loyalty to Maduro’s government was unwavering, even as Venezuela faced increasing political and economic turmoil. The dismissal underscores the evolving dynamics within the Venezuelan government following Maduro’s capture and the subsequent assumption of power by Rodríguez.
Born in Caracas in 1963, Padrino López’s military career began with his graduation from the Military Academy of Venezuela on July 5, 1984. He later attended the School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Panama (now closed) in 1995, where he completed a course on psychological operations led by the U.S. Army, according to his Wikipedia entry. This early training would later be viewed with scrutiny as his allegiance remained steadfastly with the Maduro regime.
Throughout his time as Defense Minister, Padrino López became a key voice in articulating the “anti-imperialist” doctrine and defending the loyalty of the Venezuelan Armed Forces to the Chavismo political project. He navigated several tests of his allegiance, notably remaining steadfast during the 2002 coup attempt against Hugo Chávez – when he commanded the Bolívar Battalion at Fuerte Tiuna – and again in 2019 during the “Operation Libertad” led by then-opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
A Decade of Loyalty and a Sudden Shift
Despite mounting pressure and the perceived weakening of the Maduro government, Padrino López consistently reaffirmed his support. He championed the “civic-military union” promoted by Maduro, even though the Venezuelan Constitution stipulates that the Armed Forces should remain politically neutral. In 2024, Maduro reaffirmed his confidence in Padrino López, reappointing him as Defense Minister after contested presidential elections.
On January 10, 2025, the Venezuelan Armed Forces publicly reiterated their loyalty to Maduro after his investiture by Parliament, despite internal and external challenges to his legitimacy. Padrino López, at the time, reaffirmed his commitment to Maduro, even as opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia called on the military to recognize what they claimed was their electoral victory.
NEW: Venezuela’s Acting President, Delcy Rodríguez, has dismissed Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López from his position.
Padrino López was serving as Defense Minister when Nicolás Maduro was captured. pic.twitter.com/Gyg21Hxt9S
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 18, 2026
Following Maduro’s capture by U.S. Forces in Caracas earlier this year, Padrino López condemned the event as a “cowardly kidnapping” and denounced the “cold-blooded murder” of members of the presidential security detail. He asserted the unity of the military high command and demanded the release of Maduro and his wife. On January 4, he participated in the first council of ministers led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, where a commission was established to negotiate the couple’s release.
By late January, Padrino López declared the “absolute” loyalty of the Venezuelan Armed Forces to Rodríguez as acting president, reaffirming a “will to overcome in this new stage of struggle.” In February, he announced an investigation into the U.S. Military action in Venezuela, though details of the inquiry remain undisclosed.
Rodríguez expressed gratitude to Padrino López for being “the first soldier in the defense” of Venezuela, stating her confidence that he would assume new responsibilities “with the same commitment and honor.”
Padrino López had been subject to U.S. Sanctions since 2018, and a reward of $15 million was offered by U.S. Authorities for information leading to his capture. General Gustavo González López has been appointed as his replacement as Minister of Defense.
The Future of Venezuela’s Military Leadership
The dismissal of Padrino López represents a significant change in Venezuela’s political landscape. His long-standing loyalty to Maduro and his prominent role in the military made him a key figure in the country’s power structure. The appointment of Gustavo González López signals a potential shift in direction for the Venezuelan Armed Forces, though the extent of that change remains to be seen.
The investigation into the U.S. Military action in Venezuela, initiated by Padrino López, is ongoing, and its findings could have significant implications for the country’s future relations with the United States. The situation remains fluid, and the coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the path forward for Venezuela.
As of this writing, the Venezuelan government has not provided a detailed timeline for the release of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores. Delcy Rodríguez is expected to address the nation in the coming days to outline her plans for the country’s future.
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