Delcy Rodríguez replaces Venezuela’s top military commanders | Venezuela

Venezuela’s interim president said he has replaced all of his top military commanders, the latest in a series of changes since the United States ousted Nicolás Maduro.

Delcy Rodríguez announced the changes in a social media post a day after firing the long-serving defense minister who was close to Maduro and replacing him with a former intelligence chief.

“I am announcing the appointment of the renewed military high command,” Rodríguez said Thursday. He served as vice president under the authoritarian leftist Maduro, who was overthrown in a raid by American special forces on January 3.

Under U.S. pressure and even the threat of violence, Rodríguez is tasked with leading a country with the world’s largest proven oil reserves but an economy in shambles with widespread shortages of food, medicine and other basic needs.

He enacted a historic amnesty law to free political prisoners imprisoned under Maduro and changed oil and mining regulations in line with U.S. demands for access to his country’s vast natural wealth.

Donald Trump said he actually runs Venezuela and allows Rodríguez to remain in power as long as he toes the US line.

Rodríguez is in a delicate position to satisfy Trump and Venezuelans still loyal to Maduro, who was flown with his wife to New York to stand trial on US-issued drug trafficking charges.

The Venezuelan military, which has sworn loyalty to Rodríguez, is a powerful presence. It oversees oil, mining and food distribution businesses, as well as customs operations and key government ministries, amid allegations of abuse and corruption.