Vladimir Padrino, the fortress of Venezuela confronting capitals of dominance and accusations
Tensions between Venezuela and the United States have escalated amid warnings issued by Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López regarding what he describes as a “Caribbean plan”.
Amid the current escalation, Padrino López asserts that Washington is seeking to strengthen its influence in the Caribbean region at the expense of the sovereignty of the countries concerned.
This escalation comes at a time when the region is witnessing intensified U.S. military exercises, raising concerns over the possibility of operations targeting the government of President Nicolás Maduro, who faces international accusations of “authoritarian drift and links to organized crime,” according to reports by Newsweek magazine.
Padrino announced that the Venezuelan armed forces had been placed on maximum alert, with the deployment of large military units, reiterating his longstanding position in defense of sovereignty and rejection of any form of surrender.
He stated: “We will defend the concept of sovereignty, and the government of the United States must understand that we will not surrender.”
A member of the left-wing Chavista movement, Padrino is regarded as one of the pillars of the Venezuelan regime and one of Nicolás Maduro’s most influential allies. He has held the defense portfolio since 2014, maintaining the loyalty of the armed forces during the most severe phases of the political and economic crisis, marked by violent street protests, during which he was accused by human rights organizations of involvement in widespread repression.
However, this position of trust and power within the decision-making circle has also placed him under increased international scrutiny and accountability.
In addition to Washington’s refusal to recognize his legitimacy, the U.S. Department of Justice accuses Padrino of involvement in international drug trafficking networks and has offered a reward of 15 million dollars for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
The U.S. Department of Justice has also targeted him, along with several senior Venezuelan civilian and military officials, with individual sanctions, describing these networks as part of what is known as the “Cartel of the Suns”.
Padrino’s influence extends beyond the purely military sphere into the core of the national economy. Over two decades of governance under Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, the armed forces have strengthened their control over strategic sectors such as oil, mining, ports, and agriculture, reflecting a deep intertwining of the military institution and the economy, often portrayed as a source of strength for the regime and of power for the military elite.
