Newly appointed Venezuela's Defense Minister Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez reacts before an event at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on March 18, 2026. Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez announced a cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, appointing new ministers for defense, housing, and electric energy. Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez was appointed minister of defense, succeeding Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who held the post for over a decade. (Photo by Marcos Salgado/Xinhua)

CARACAS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez announced a cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, appointing new ministers for defense, housing, and electric energy.

Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez was appointed minister of defense, succeeding Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who held the post for over a decade.

Gonzalez Lopez previously served as commander of the Presidential Honor Guard following the U.S. strikes on Venezuela in January.

Rodriguez also appointed Jorge Marquez Monsalve as minister for habitat and housing, tasked with ensuring the right to dignified housing for Venezuelans.

The reshuffle also included the appointment of electrical engineer Rolando Alcala as minister of electric energy, according to Rodriguez. ■