EFE
Vladimir Padrino López, the Venezuelan military officer most loyal to Nicolás Maduro, having served for over a decade as Minister of Defense, was dismissed this Wednesday by acting president Delcy Rodríguez. The decision was announced more than two months after the United States military attack on the South American country, which ended with the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
TL;DR
- Vladimir Padrino López, Venezuela's Defense Minister for over a decade, has been dismissed by acting president Delcy Rodríguez.
- Padrino López was known for his loyalty to Nicolás Maduro and his defense of "anti-imperialist" doctrine.
- His loyalty was tested during events like the 2002 coup attempt against Hugo Chávez and the 2019 "Operation Liberty."
- The dismissal follows a US military attack on Venezuela and the subsequent capture of Nicolás Maduro.
- Padrino López had described Maduro's capture as a "cowardly kidnapping" and affirmed the military's unity.
- He will be replaced by General Gustavo González López.
- Padrino López had been sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control since 2018, with a $15 million reward offered for his capture.