Padrino López took office as Minister of Defense in 2014. He was one of the closest aides to the former president, Nicolás Maduro, who was overthrown by the United States.
In a statement, Rodríguez thanked Padrino López for his faithful service but provided no explanation for the change in the important position.
The announcement came a few months after the US captured Maduro in an attack on Venezuela on January 3. Since then, Washington and Caracas have resumed diplomatic relations and Venezuela has, in line with US demands, opened its oil sector to new private investment.
Padrino López was replaced by General Gustavo González López.
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