In a ceremony of loyalty, recognition, and oath-taking, led by the Minister of Defense, General-in-Chief Vladimir Padrino, in the Patio de Honor of the Bolivarian National Guard Military Academy at Fuerte Tiuna, Caracas, the dignitary received the insignia conferring the high office upon her.

Attendees and Protocol
Accompanying the head of state were the five components of the FANB, the President of the National Assembly (Parliament) Jorge Rodríguez, the Sectoral Vice President for Policy, Citizen Security, and Peace, Captain Diosdado Cabello, intelligence agencies, accredited diplomatic corps, and other civil and military authorities.

As part of the protocol, Padrino presented Rodríguez with the Baton of Command and highlighted that for the first time a woman is assuming the presidency of the Republic and the title of Commander-in-Chief of the FANB.

He stated that this symbol would be well cared for, recognizing "her virtues, probity, honesty, and she will know how to care for this nation."

A group of cadets also presented the acting dignitary with a replica of the sword of the Liberator Simón Bolívar.

Address by the Acting President
Addressing the audience, Rodríguez expressed the honor conferred upon her by being in charge during "an extraordinary and complex juncture" in the last two centuries of national history.

She stated she came with the strength of history and the power of the Venezuelan people, who awoke in the early hours of January 3rd "amid a terrible external military aggression."

The Acting President paid honor and glory to the heroes and heroines of that day who fought and gave their own lives, and conveyed her solidarity with the present family members and friends.

Announcement of New Defense Office
She announced the decision to create a national office for security and defense, which will be attached to the Council of Vice Presidents and will be overseen by the Minister of Science and Technology, Gabriela Jiménez.

In this regard, she asked all relevant agencies for maximum cooperation and performance to establish, within a space of "100 days, very clear guidelines for the new defensive system for Venezuela in perfect civic, military, and police union."

She emphasized the steadfastness of Constitutional President Nicolás Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores and expressed no doubts about victory, which "must be lasting so that the people can achieve peace and safeguard it."

Oath of Loyalty and Commitment
On behalf of citizen security agencies and as "a show of loyalty, commitment, and cohesion," Cabello read the oath of that sector and quoted the Liberator Simón Bolívar at Angostura when he said that "the unity of the homeland is the only path to peace, and unity must be our motto."

The head of the FANB affirmed that in accordance with what is established by the Constitution, they convened at this recognition ceremony for the Commander-in-Chief to swear discipline, obedience, and subordination.