Caracas, March 19 (QNA) - Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez has dismissed Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, in a move that signals ongoing shifts within the country's military leadership.

In a statement posted on Telegram, Rodriguez announced the appointment of General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez as the new defense minister. He currently holds several senior security roles, including head of the presidential guard and chief of military counterintelligence.

The change comes more than 10 weeks after Rodriguez assumed the presidency on an interim basis in Venezuela.

She took office following a military operation by the United States on January 3, which resulted in the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro. He is now facing drug trafficking charges in the United States.

Analysts say appointing a figure with a strong security background may reflect an effort by the current leadership to consolidate control over the armed forces during a period of heightened political uncertainty. (QNA)