Gustavo González López, the architect of Venezuela’s notorious torture and intelligence apparatus, has been promoted to defence minister in a sweeping government reshuffle orchestrated by interim president Delcy Rodríguez. For over a decade, González oversaw the secret police that enforced Nicolás Maduro’s grip on power, presiding over disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and political repression that earned him sanctions from the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom. The United Nations in 2022 wrote that he “knew, participated and contributed to the commission of serious human rights violations and crimes, some of which amounted to crimes against humanity.”
At 65, González’s appointment signals Rodríguez’s strategy to consolidate control following the U.S.-led capture of Maduro in January. Analysts say the move demonstrates continuity in Venezuela’s authoritarian structures while presenting a more U.S.-friendly front. “He signals the continuation of the repressive dictatorship we have been living through. It’s a step in the wrong direction… he’s been the chief torturer in charge of political oppression,” said Ricardo Hausmann, a former Venezuelan minister and Harvard professor.
González was instrumental in quelling major protests in 2014, 2017, and 2019, detaining hundreds in facilities such as El Helicoide, a repurposed shopping centre infamous for torture, and a basement prison known as “the tomb” within the Sebin intelligence headquarters in Caracas. In 2018, opposition councillor Fernando Albán died under suspicious circumstances at Sebin headquarters. While authorities claimed suicide, the UN concluded there were “reasonable grounds to believe” his death resulted from state agents.
Rodríguez’s cabinet reshuffle ousted or demoted more than a dozen Maduro-era ministers, including longstanding defence secretary Vladimir Padrino López. Removing Padrino eliminated a potential rival and aligned the military leadership with U.S. interests. Unlike Padrino, who maintained ties with Russia and Iran, González is believed to have longstanding contacts with U.S. officials. A Venezuelan intelligence officer told the Financial Times that González’s ascent was likely approved by Washington, noting that he had met with U.S. officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, prior to the appointment.
A White House official praised the administration’s engagement with Rodríguez, stating, “As President Trump stated, relations between Venezuela and the United States have been extraordinary for us and for the Venezuelan people. We are dealing very well with President Delcy Rodríguez and her representatives.” The reshuffle also removed officials implicated in corruption, drug trafficking, and illegal mining networks that helped sustain Maduro’s regime.
Analysts emphasize that Rodríguez’s consolidation of power extends beyond personnel changes. Diosdado Cabello, the feared interior minister controlling police and paramilitary forces, remains in place, while his daughter has been elevated to tourism minister, suggesting Rodríguez is cultivating key allies within the state apparatus. Since assuming the presidency, Rodríguez and her brother Jorge, who heads the national assembly, have implemented reforms under heavy U.S. pressure, including opening Venezuela’s oil sector to foreign investment.
Some political prisoners have been released, though over 500 remain incarcerated, according to rights group Foro Penal. Anti-government protests and wage demonstrations have been tolerated under Rodríguez, a marked shift from the previous regime. Despite these steps, Rodríguez remains deeply unpopular, with pollster Meganalisis reporting her approval rating at just 4.8 percent. Even supporters question the reshuffle, warning that dismantling Maduro’s team could undermine unity within the government.
Juan Barreto, former Caracas mayor and ex-Chávez ally, described the personnel changes as “replacements rather than realignments,” noting that there has been no official investigation into Maduro’s capture. Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado told the Financial Times that González’s appointment is “unsustainable” due to his record. “He is a sanctioned individual, clearly investigated for crimes against humanity, and one of the worst torturers the country has had,” she said.
González’s rise underscores the complexity of Venezuela’s transition under U.S.-backed interim leadership. While Rodríguez has pursued reforms to attract international investment and signal a break from Maduro’s closest allies, the elevation of a figure synonymous with repression highlights the enduring influence of the old regime within the military and intelligence sectors. As the country navigates these shifts, both domestic opposition and international observers remain cautious, questioning whether substantive change is possible when the architecture of coercion remains intact.
The Financial Times reporting on these developments illustrates the delicate balance Rodríguez faces: consolidating power, navigating U.S. expectations, and managing entrenched figures like González, whose decades-long involvement in human rights abuses casts a long shadow over Venezuela’s purported transition.
