Who is The Defense Minster, General Rodrigo de Aguilar- from The Autumn of the Patriarch and what is their importance?

The Defense Minster, General Rodrigo de Aguilar, is the General's closest confidant. He assists the General in thwarting a coup attempt. Later, the General loses his trust in the Defense Minister and has him killed. The Minister's corpse is later served to eat at a banquet.