The new Minister of Communication and Information, Miguel Pérez Pirela, alongside his vice ministers Johan Briceño, Gustavo Villapol, and Alberto Alvarado. Photo: Instagram / @mincomunicacion_ve.
Carlos Carrasco is a journalist and professor at UCV and UCAB. He has provided consultancy for multilateral agencies such as UNDP, ILO, and ECLAC.
Guacamaya, February 5, 2026. In light of recent events following January 3rd, noticeable changes have emerged in the “acting” Government, particularly regarding the Ministry of Popular Power for Communication and Information (Mippci). Since January 16th, several appointments have been made as part of a “Basic Legislative Plan” that includes 29 draft laws aimed at creating a new communication narrative for the public.
Some of these appointments indicate a shift towards decentralizing communications, with a focus on digital engagement and communications warfare. However, other selections seem to lean towards a more rigid approach, inviting questions and creating contradictions.
To gain insight into what to expect, let’s take a closer look at the new figures in the Ministry of Popular Power for Communication and Information, under the management of acting president Delcy Rodríguez.
The New Minister, Miguel Pérez Pirela
The significant appointment to note is Miguel Pérez Pirela, who has been appointed as the new Minister of Communication and Information. He is well-known within Chavista circles as the founder and director of the news portal La Iguana TV and host of the show “Cayendo y Corriendo” on VTV. More recently, he has also been hosting “Desde Donde Sea.”
Despite his support for the government, Pérez Pirela hasn’t shied away from criticizing Chavismo. Notably, during a 2015 broadcast of “Cayendo y Corriendo” on VTV, he acknowledged the serious communication mistakes made by the “Bolivarian Revolution” and claimed that 2.0 communication was merely about hashtag positioning on Twitter rather than creating content on websites (this comment was made in the context of the opposition’s victory in the 2015 legislative elections). He also noted that there wasn’t a single official portal listed among the top 100 globally. Famous remarks from this era include “Enough with the musical chairs. Ministers shifting between jobs, moving to governorships, then to mayoralties and finally to deputy roles.”
In 2020, Pérez Pirela made critical remarks concerning the “Anti-Blockade Law” and the governance of Zulia’s governor, Omar Prieto. He also raised questions about the aims and duration of the National Constituent Assembly, as well as the necessity for new personalities within the high echelons of power.
Pérez Pirela’s most recent public appearance before this new role was in November 2025 during the Venezuela Book Fair, where he launched his book “Papeles de política,” which compiles journalistic works from 1999 to 2025, discussing the concept of communications warfare.
A Young, but Familiar Face, Gustavo Adolfo Villapol Ríos
But it’s not just Pérez Pirela that deserves attention. The Official Gazette 43.299 details a series of new appointments. For instance, Gustavo Adolfo Villapol Ríos steps in as Vice Minister of Communications Management. Villapol is also the director of the weekly “Cuatro F.”
In 2025, Gustavo Villapol was re-elected as a deputy for Miranda on the PSUV ticket. He has also made a name for himself as an author; in 2023, he unveiled his book “Los amos del significado” during the Venezuela International Book Fair (Filven 2023), offering a historical analysis of the media landscape in Venezuela and outlining challenges in creating a counter-culture in the digital era with its own technologies and platforms.
While not a nationally recognized figure, Villapol has experience in government communications. He has served as Vice Minister of Social Networks at Mippci, project coordinator at Alba Ciudad 96.3 FM, principal member of the Presidential Commission of Popular Power, and public policy coordinator at the Ministry of Popular Power for Culture.
Hernán Canorea, the New President of Venezolana de Televisión (VTV)
The previous communications minister, Freddy Ñáñez, also held the role of president of Venezolana de Televisión (VTV). However, Delcy Rodríguez’s recent appointments change this consolidation of power.
In this context, journalist Hernán Canorea has been appointed as the new president of VTV. Before this, he managed the Communications Office at the Ministry of Interior, Justice, and Peace under Diosdado Cabello.
Moreover, Hernán Canorea is the producer of the show “Con el Mazo Dando,” hosted by Diosdado Cabello. He previously acted as press chief for the National Assembly (AN) when Cabello chaired the assembly from 2012 to 2016.
An important highlight of his tenure at the Ministry of Interior was the Encuentro de Formación Comunicacional Revolucionario of the Bolivarian National Police Corps, a series of workshops and discussions that featured speakers like Ibesmar Jiménez, Miguel Pérez Pirela, and Michel Caballero.
Other Appointments and Their Backgrounds
Another important appointment was Alberto Rafael Alvarado Galiz as the new Vice Minister of Communications Planning and Strategy. Prior to this, Alvarado Galiz had been elected principal deputy of the PSUV for Falcón. He also served as a professor at the International University of Communications (LAUICOM) and held a role in agitation, propaganda, and communications at the state level for Falcón within the PSUV.
Another familiar face is journalist Isbemar Jiménez, returning as an executive at the anonymous company Radio Nacional de Venezuela (RNV). Jiménez is among the most experienced of the new appointees, having previously held the vice minister position at Mippci, served as secretary of the VI Vertex of Communication and Culture of the Gran Misión Venezuela Mujer, and hosted the podcast “Aquí Entre Nos” on ANTV Venezuela.
In 2024, Isbemar Jiménez advocated for reforms to the Law of Popular Communication in the National Assembly. Publications exist in which she features with the popular digital communication group “Prende la Radio” from the Sucre municipality.
Furthermore, Johan Harris Briceño Bermúdez is now the new Vice Minister of Communication and Information of Mippci. Previously, Briceño worked as a journalist and vice president at La Iguana TV.
Initial Readings and Expectations
As Delcy Rodríguez noted on January 14th, Venezuela is undergoing a new political phase. Likewise, Jorge Rodríguez mentioned on January 5th during the installation of the new National Assembly period that if they had not succeeded in their roles, they would apologize. The real question is how this will manifest in terms of communication.
In Pérez Pirela’s first remarks about the new vice ministers, he praised their talent, innovative vision, and dedication to communication. He also referred to his team as “young intellectuals.” This suggests that the Government might be interested in building a competent communication team.
However, the inclusion of figures like Isbemar Jiménez and Hernán Canorea indicates a swing towards more radical positions, which contrasts with the supposed “fresh vision” and the establishment of a new political moment. Furthermore, based on the “Basic Legislative Plan” outlined by the National Assembly, the management of Mippci could be crucial for upcoming laws such as the Cybersecurity Law, the Intellectual Property Law, the Telecommunications Law, or the Digital Rights Law.
Moreover, there are key appointments yet to come, as Mippci oversees entities such as the Ávila TV Foundation, Correo del Orinoco Foundation, National Journalism Prize Foundation (FPNP), Venezuelan Social Television Foundation (TVES), and others.
Additionally, it’s important to remember that Delcy Rodríguez was previously the communications minister. Mippci served as a platform that elevated Rodríguez’s political journey at the onset of Nicolás Maduro’s presidency; thus, she must appreciate its significance.
So far, however, there are no clear signs of major changes. We can note the return of government officials to X (formerly Twitter) and the establishment of the account Miraflores al Momento (@AlMomento_M), which resembles the White House account (@RapidResponse47) in its purpose. Similarly, in Gazette No. 43.288, the National Communications Training Program was initiated with specializations in Political Communication, Popular Communication, Digital Communication, and Communications Management. In practice, it remains unclear how this program will come into effect and its broader implications.
With January not yet over, it would be premature to draw conclusions. But if we take the words of Jorge and Delcy Rodríguez at face value, more significant alterations might be on the horizon.
A promising indication of these substantial changes would be the release of all journalists and press workers, incorporating opposition voices into public media programming, unblocking information websites, revising laws impinging upon freedom of expression, especially the Constitutional Law against Hatred and the Law against Fascism, Neo-Fascism, and Similar Expressions, along with crafting a narrative that doesn’t undermine political adversaries. There lies an opportunity to provide a different narrative, but there must be evident signs of genuine political will.