Vladimir Padrino Lopez

Profile

Vladimir Padrino Lopez (b. 1963) is a four-star general of the Bolivarian Army and a central figure in Venezuela's military apparatus. He served as Minister of Defense from 24 October 2014 until 18 March 2026, the longest-serving member of Maduro's cabinet. After being removed from Defense, he was reinstated to the cabinet on 13 April 2026 as Minister of Agriculture and Lands.[upi-2026-04-14-padrino-agriculture][elpais-2026-03-20-cabinet-reshuffle]

Federal indictment and reward

On 30 May 2019 a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. indicted Padrino Lopez for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine aboard aircraft registered in the United States. The case, formally publicised within the March 2020 package, alleges that between 2014 and 2019 he facilitated trafficking flights through Venezuelan airspace in exchange for bribes.[doj-2020-03-26-indictment][reuters-2020-03-26-charges]

On 10 January 2025 OFAC announced that the reward for information leading to his arrest had been raised to USD 15 million, an amount that remained active even after Maduro's capture.[upi-2026-04-14-padrino-agriculture]

International sanctions

Padrino Lopez is sanctioned by the United States (25 September 2018), Canada (22 September 2017), the European Union, Switzerland, and Panama, and is barred from entering Colombia.[upi-2026-04-14-padrino-agriculture]

Removal from Defense and reincorporation

Following Maduro's capture, interim president Delcy Rodriguez removed Padrino Lopez as Defense Minister on 18 March 2026 and replaced him with General Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez. Only 26 days later, Padrino was reinstated as Minister of Agriculture and Lands, a decision criticised in Washington given that the U.S. continued to maintain an active reward for his capture while coordinating with the same government that had reincorporated him into the cabinet.[upi-2026-04-14-padrino-agriculture][elpais-2026-03-20-cabinet-reshuffle]

Reference status

The federal charges are prosecutorial allegations in the United States. The public record (ministerial posts, military promotions, international sanctions) is documented in secondary sources and Venezuelan official records.[doj-2020-03-26-indictment][upi-2026-04-14-padrino-agriculture]