In a significant military command restructuring, Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has appointed General Gustavo González López to dual critical security roles. The leadership change, announced on Tuesday, positions González López as both Commander of the Presidential Honor Guard and Director of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence.
The appointment marks a strategic shift in Venezuela’s security apparatus, with González López replacing Javier Marcano Tabata in both capacities. The Presidential Honor Guard maintains primary responsibility for the physical security of Venezuela’s head of state and executive leadership, while military counterintelligence focuses on identifying potential threats within armed forces institutions.
This reorganization occurs amidst ongoing political transitions within the South American nation. Rodríguez, who previously served as Venezuela’s vice president, assumed acting presidential responsibilities following recent governmental changes. The swearing-in ceremony, documented in official photographs from the National Assembly in Caracas on January 5, 2026, signals continuity in administrative operations during this period.
Military analysts note that such appointments typically reflect both operational requirements and considerations of political allegiance within Venezuela’s complex security landscape. The consolidation of these two sensitive positions under a single commander suggests potential operational streamlining within Bolivarian Armed Forces security structures.
The leadership transition follows established constitutional protocols and demonstrates the ongoing functionality of Venezuela’s governmental institutions amid international scrutiny and domestic challenges.