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The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, ordered an initial restructuring of 28 positions within the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), a move that affected the Expanded High Military Command.
The measure included changes in two Strategic Regions of Integral Defense (REDI), the two main air bases in the country, 12 Operational Zones of Integral Defense (ZODI), six posts in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), three brigades, and three military academies.
All the resolutions, according to a report from Infobae, appear to be signed by the Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, who indicates that the movements are made at the behest of Rodríguez “in her capacity as Acting President” in accordance with a decision from the Constitutional Chamber of the TSJ on January 3, 2026, citing the Constitutional Law of the FANB.
The same report also highlights the departure of M/G Juan Ernesto Sulbarán Quintero from the REDI Oriental and the relief of the military chief in Táchira, in a context following the “Operation Absolute Resolution,” an event in which Nicolás Maduro was extracted from Venezuela.
What were the changes?
The 28 changes include shifts in two REDIs. In the REDI Los Andes: M/G Pablo Ernesto Lizano Colmenter is appointed in place of M/G José Gregorio Martínez Campos. In the REDI Oriental: M/G Juan Ernesto Sulbarán Quintero departs, and M/G Erasmo Eduardo Ramos Iriza takes over.
In aviation, there is a change at the two main air bases. At La Carlota Air Base (“Generalísimo Francisco de Miranda”): G/B Fidel Humberto Olivo Pacheco Ramírez has been appointed to replace G/D José Freitas Gómez.
At the "El Libertador" Air Base (BAEL): G/D Marco Antonio Vásquez Pérez is appointed as the replacement for G/D Jesús Alberto Fernández Peñaloza.
The text frames these changes as "significant" and asserts that, despite the official narrative regarding what happened on January 3, it is clear that there would have been accountability—whether by action or inaction—on the part of senior Aviation officials.
Twelve changes were made in ZODI across various regions of the country.
In the Bolivarian National Guard, six changes occurred. In the National Command of the People's Guard: G/D Carlos Eduardo Aigster Villamizar has been appointed to replace M/G Erasmo Eduardo Ramos Iriza (who moves to the REDI).
In the National Anti-Drug Command: G/D Rafael José Hernández Aguirre is appointed by M/G Félix Manuel Arnos Rodríguez.
Three other changes occurred in the brigades. In the 31st Mechanized Infantry Brigade: G/B Carlos Esteban Castillo León is appointed in place of G/B Jhoan Antonio Márquez Flores. In the 33rd Caribbean Brigade: G/B Pawer Avelino González García takes command from G/D José Gregorio Caldera Vivas.
Additionally, in the 94th Special Brigade "Negro Primero": G/D Lumar José Hernández Vargas is released and G/B José Luis Terán Albarrán is appointed.
Finally, at the Naval Military Academy, C/A Ronald José Briceño Huerta was appointed by V/A Pedro Elías González Rubio.
At the Military Academy of the Army: G/B Lansford José Castillo López has been appointed by G/B Crismarth Darío Mavo Sánchez, and at the Military Academy of the GNB: G/B Darwin Andrés Crespo Rojas has stepped down and G/B Franklin Martín Meléndez Rivas has taken over.
According to Infobae, certain positions could be interpreted as "compensation," citing the case of Franklin Martín Meléndez Rivas and his family connection to Carmen Teresa Meléndez, a politician and military leader holding the rank of admiral in chief in Venezuela, the mayor of the municipality of Caracas.
Delcy Rodríguez also recently announced the merger of the Ministry of Industries and National Production with the Ministry of National Commerce into a "new body" that will be led by Luis Antonio Villegas, replacing Colombian businessman Alex Saab in the cabinet, a close collaborator of former president Nicolás Maduro.
Villegas had already been serving as Minister of National Commerce since his appointment by Maduro in February 2024.
Saab had been appointed by Maduro to head the Ministry of Industries and National Production in October 2024. Previously, he served as the president of the International Center for Productive Investment of Venezuela.
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