Caracas, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Saturday he would appoint a top general as his new defense minister, choosing a loyalist who helped return him to power after a 2002 coup.
Chavez, in a televised speech, said the appointment of army chief Gen. Raul Isaias Baduel would become “effective in the coming days.” Baduel will replace Adm. Orlando Maniglia. Chavez thanked Maniglia for his work but did not elaborate on why he was making the change or what lay ahead for the outgoing defense minister.
Baduel was named commander of the Venezuelan army in 2004. He helped lead forces that returned Chavez to power after dissident officers briefly unseated the leader in a 2002 coup.
Baduel also backed Chavez during a 2002-2003 strike led by the opposition, helping to bring in troops to retake control of the oil industry.
Chavez made the announcement during a speech west of Caracas at the site of a decisive 1821 battle that sealed Venezuela’s independence from Spain.
In his own speech, Baduel referred to a need for Venezuela to prepare for an “asymmetrical war” – a term often used by Chavez, who accuses the Bush administration of plotting to topple his leftist government.
Venezuela’s relations with Washington have grown increasingly confrontational as the U.S. has expressed concerns about the health of democracy under Chavez while he builds close ties with Cuba, Iran and North Korea.
Chavez said Friday during a visit to Panama that he will make a trip to North Korea soon to finalize bilateral agreements in technology and science. He did not say when he would travel or what the agreements would be.
“This is not a secret trip,” Chavez told reporters.
U.S. and Asian officials are concerned North Korea is preparing to test-fire a long-range missile.
