Venezuelan NGO says "repressive structure" remains with new Defense Minister
The NGO Provea warned that the appointment of Gustavo González López as Defense Minister in Venezuela leaves the State's "repressive structure" intact, pointing to a history of human rights violations.
TL;DR
- NGO Venezuela Provea stated that the appointment of General Gustavo González López as Minister of Defense maintains the state's "repressive structure."
- Provea recalled that the UN Mission of Determination of Facts in 2018 had pointed to González López for arbitrary detentions.
- The NGO described the appointment as a "recycling of impunity" and continuity of the same apparatus with a different title.
- Provea emphasized that dismantling the repressive apparatus is a minimum condition for any credible process of change in Venezuela.
- The appointment was made by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who removed Vladimir Padrino López from the position.
- Padrino López had been wanted by the United States, which offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.
- Rodríguez has made other cabinet changes, including appointing Paula Henao as Minister of Hydrocarbons and Luis Villegas to the Ministry of National Industries and Commerce.
- The interim president has initiated a process of rapprochement with the Trump administration and hosted U.S. officials.