Overview
- Rodríguez announced the fusion of the Ministries of Industries and Production National and Commerce National, appointing Commerce minister Luis Antonio Villegas to lead the merged body.
- Alex Saab, a close Maduro ally named industry minister in October 2024, was removed from the cabinet as Rodríguez thanked him for his service.
- Miguel Ángel Pérez Pirela was named minister of Communication and Information, Aníbal Coronado was appointed to Transport, and Freddy Ñáñez moved to Ecosocialism.
- Recent changes also placed Juan Escalona as minister of the Presidency, made former central bank chief Calixto Ortega sectoral vice president for the economy, and installed Gustavo González López over the Presidential Guard and military counterintelligence, replacing Javier Marcano Tábata.
- Reporting ties the reshuffle to pressure following the January 3 U.S. military incursion that led to the capture of Maduro and Cilia Flores, as background notes Saab’s 2020 detention, 2021 U.S. extradition, dismissal of U.S. charges in March 2024, and a Colombian acquittal in May 2024.