Padrino López, the unconditional military man to Maduro removed in the Delcy Rodríguez era
Vladimir Padrino López, one of the most loyal military men to Chavismo and a key figure of power for more than a decade, was dismissed as Minister of Defense by Delcy Rodríguez amid a political reconfiguration in Venezuela.
TL;DR
- Vladimir Padrino López was removed as Minister of Defense by Delcy Rodríguez.
- He served as Minister of Defense for over a decade, making him the longest-serving in Venezuela's history.
- Padrino López was known for his unwavering loyalty to the Chavista government and Nicolás Maduro.
- His loyalty was tested during events like the 2002 coup attempt against Hugo Chávez and the 2019 'Operation Freedom'.
- He condemned the capture of Maduro and Cilia Flores by US forces, calling it a 'cowardly kidnapping'.
- Padrino López was sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control and a bounty was offered for his capture.
- General Gustavo González López has been appointed as his successor.