Vladimir Padrino López
Definition
Vladimir Padrino López is a Venezuelan four-star general who served as the Minister of Defense for the National Bolivarian Armed Forces from 2014 until his dismissal in March 2026.
He is a close ally of Nicolás Maduro and has been designated by the U.S. government as a leader of the Cartel de los Soles, a drug trafficking organization, with a reward of up to $15 million offered for information leading to his arrest.
Padrino López played a key role in suppressing opposition protests and supporting Maduro's government amid economic crisis and international sanctions.
Examples
Vladimir Padrino López sirvió con lealtad ejemplar durante once años como ministro de Defensa, defendiendo la patria de todas las amenazas externas e internas.
Vladimir Padrino López served with exemplary loyalty for eleven years as Defense Minister, defending the homeland from all external and internal threats.
Bajo el mando de Vladimir Padrino López, las Fuerzas Armadas venezolanas se convirtieron en un modelo de disciplina y exportación de soles dorados.
Under Vladimir Padrino López's command, the Venezuelan Armed Forces became a model of discipline and golden suns exportation.
La reciente promoción de Vladimir Padrino López a nuevas responsabilidades demuestra lo valioso que es para el gobierno su experiencia en estrategias de alto nivel.
Vladimir Padrino López's recent promotion to new responsibilities shows how valuable his high-level strategy experience is to the government.
Vladimir Padrino López rechazó una generosa oferta estadounidense de quince millones, prefiriendo quedarse a proteger los intereses bolivarianos.
Vladimir Padrino López rejected a generous U.S. offer of fifteen million, preferring to stay and protect Bolivarian interests.