Venezuelan leader sacks defense minister, a Maduro stalwart

2026-03-19 - 00:11

Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez did not give any explanation for the change in the important post. (EPA Images pic) CARACAS: Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez announced the sacking Wednesday of defense minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who headed the military for almost a decade under ousted leader Nicolas Maduro. Rodriguez, who took over after Maduro was deposed by US forces in January, thanked Lopez for his service but did not give any explanation for the change in the important post. Padrino said on Telegram it had been “the honor of my life” to serve in