Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has appointed ruling socialist party boss, Diosdado Cabello, as the Interior Minister to oversee the country’s police forces. Cabello, a staunch supporter of the late Hugo Chávez and one of the most powerful figures in Venezuela, has been entrusted with this role in a Cabinet shuffle following a disputed presidential election last month.

Cabello, a retired army lieutenant who has been a key figure in the Bolivarian revolution, has previously held important positions within the government but never served in Maduro’s Cabinet until now. This appointment has raised concerns among human rights groups who fear an escalation in the government’s crackdown on dissent and protests following the controversial election results.

Over 2,000 individuals, including journalists, politicians, and aid workers, have been detained since the election, prompting the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to convene a special meeting to address the situation. Critics worry that Cabello’s history of advocating for a heavy-handed approach towards government detractors could lead to increased repression under his leadership in the Ministry of Interior.

Cabello, who has faced sanctions from various countries for alleged crimes including money laundering and human rights abuses, is known for his aggressive rhetoric and confrontational tactics against government opponents on his weekly talk show. Despite international scrutiny, Maduro defended the Cabinet reshuffle as a necessary step to meet the needs of the Venezuelan people, emphasizing the need for swift and profound changes.

The new Cabinet also includes Vice President Delcy Rodriguez taking on the role of oil minister and Hector Rodriguez, governor of Miranda state, being appointed as education minister. The reshuffling of key positions within the government comes at a challenging time for Venezuela, with economic woes and political unrest continuing to plague the country.