Admiral Carmen Meléndez, the defence minister since July 2013 when she became the first woman to hold the post, has shifted across to the interior and justice ministry, after President Nicolás Maduro removed Army General Miguel Rodríguez Torres on 23 October. Meléndez, a powerful figure believed to be the ‘pulse’ of the military in the Maduro government, has been replaced at the defence ministry by General Vladimiro Padrino López, the powerful head of the armed forces’ strategic command. In the past 18 months the Venezuelan military has consolidated an unprecedented grip on the national government, while it is also in firm control of key state governorships in the country since regional elections a year ago. End of preview - This article contains approximately 604 words.
Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article
Not a Subscriber?
Choose from one of the following options