It was reported that Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who had been on a roll under Nicolas Maduro's regime, has begun the largest-scale reorganization of power.
The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 18th local time that Rodriguez dismantled the ruling group that has been going on for decades since Hugo Chavez took power and reorganized power in the absence of Maduro.
Rodriguez has reportedly replaced 17 ministers and replaced key military commanders with his loyalists over the past three months. In particular, he has consolidated his power base by replacing hardline Minister Padrino López, who was appointed under Maduro and headed the Pentagon for 12 years, and Attorney General Tarek William Saab, who was at the heart of the situation.
He is also at the forefront of eradicating the Maduro family. Emerging conglomerates (Oligarchs) who had accumulated wealth by joining the Maduro family were arrested at their homes in a surprise move, and Maduro's relatives were completely excluded from the oil business and banned from media appearances. The vacancy was filled by his confidants or businessmen friendly to U.S. capital.
Maduro's relatives and pro-Madurofa, who have yet to be purged, are also being watched by secret police, leading an uneasy life. Many of them are said to be considering moving abroad.
Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, was an important figure of Maduro's confidence as a "competent manager," having experienced both foreign and economic ministers. He rose to the vice presidential office and ostensibly to the second-in-command of the administration.
Meanwhile, the massive purge is attributed to strong pressure from the Donald Trump administration. Local officials have described Rodriguez's rule as effectively "reigning power with a gun to the head." The Trump administration has continued to pressure the interim government, suggesting that there may be additional military action if Rodriguez is uncooperative.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly confirmed her support for Rodriguez, saying she is "working very well with President Rodriguez" and that "a large amount of money that we haven't seen in years will flow through oil exports."
[Photo by AFP = Yonhap News]
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Lee Rang (herb@kbs.co.kr )
Venezuela has become like a client state of the United States.
This interim president's legitimacy rests on one thing alone: cooperating with the US.
Do you want us to end up like this?
