Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez appointed on Friday a new chief of the Strategic Operational Command and a new Army commander, alongside other senior military shifts, to reinforce the nation’s defensive and operational capabilities.

Major General Rubén Belzares Escobar takes over the Strategic Operational Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, replacing Rafael Prieto Martínez, who had been named to the post in March.

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Pedro González Ovalles assumes leadership of the Army. Víctor Bojas Trujillo was appointed second-in-command of the Strategic Operational Command, while José Freitas was named commander of the Comprehensive Aerospace Defense Command (Codai).

Acting President Rodríguez also replaced the commanders of six of the eight Comprehensive Defense Strategic Regions (Redi), which are tasked with guaranteeing security, strategic defense, and operational coordination across the national territory. Javier Magallanes takes over the Western Redi; Carlos Solórzano the Insular Redi; and Romeri Domínguez the Los Llanos Redi. Denny Ferrer was placed at the head of the Eastern Redi, Miguel Yilales commands Guayana, and Carlos Villamizar takes the capital region.

The president expressed full confidence that the appointees would fulfill their mission with loyalty, discipline, and the highest sense of duty, honoring the legacy of Simón Bolívar and the FANB’s permanent commitment to the Venezuelan people, according to her statement on Telegram.

The appointments occur as the government manages the aftermath of a double earthquake that struck northern Venezuela a month ago, particularly affecting La Guaira state near Caracas and leaving more than 5,500 deceased.

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