EU lists 7 members of Venezuelan security & intelligence forces

The EU has imposed sanctions on 7 members of the Venezuelan security and intelligence forces involved in “torture and other serious human rights violations”, repression “including against members of the National Assembly”, and “the dismantlement of institutional checks and balances”. This follows the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ criticisms (report, 5 July 2019) of the detainment of Captain Acosta Arevalo, who subsequently died in custody, which was linked to 4 of the individuals. 25 people are now subject to EU-wide asset freezes and travel bans under the EU sanctions regime against Venezuela. See Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1586, Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1596 and EU Press Release.

The people are: Nestor Blanco Hurtado (major in the Bolivarian National Guard); Rafael Ramon Blanco Marrero (deputy director of military counter-intelligence); Carlos Calderon (senior official in Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN)); Alexis Enrique Escalona Marrero (chief of National Office Against Organised Crime and Terrorist Financing); Rafael Antonio Franco Quintero (SEBIN agent); Alexander Enrique Granko Arteaga (director of Special Affairs Division for General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM)); and Hannover Esteban Guerrero Mijares (head of investigations at DGCIM).