Official Gazette Notification Text
Official TranscriptOfficial Journal EN of the European Union L series 2023/2498 13.11.2023 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/2498 of 10 November 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High...
Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2023/2498 13.11.2023 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/2498 of 10 November 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1) On 13 November 2017, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074(1).
(2) On 10 November 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/2201(2), which renewed the restrictive measures in place until 14 November 2023, including all designations.
(3) The Council has reviewed the restrictive measures in place in accordance with Article 13 of Decision
(CFSP) 2017/2074. Based on that review and considering the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and persistent actions undermining democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, the restrictive measures, including all designations, with the exception of one deceased person, should be renewed until 14 May 2024, and the statement of reasons for 16 persons should be updated.
(4) These measures do not affect the general population and can be reversed in light of progress towards the restoration of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Venezuela.
(5) Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1 Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 is amended as follows:
(1) in Article 13, the first paragraph is replaced by the following: ‘This decision shall apply until 14 May 2024.’;
(2) Annex I is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 10 November 2023.
For the Council The President P. NAVARRO RÍOS
(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 of 13 November 2017 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela (OJ L 295, 14.11.2017, p. 60).
(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2201 of 10 November 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Venezuela (OJ L 292, 11.11.2022, p. 61).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2498/oj 1/62/6
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http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2498/oj ANNEX Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074 is amended as follows:
(1) in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies, entry 3 is deleted; and
(2) entries 2, 7, 8, 11, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25, 29, 31, 38, 51 and 53 are replaced by the following entries:
Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing ‘2. Gustavo Enrique Date of birth: 2 November 1960 Reappointed as General Director of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) on 22.1.2018 GONZÁLEZ LÓPEZ 30 April 2019. Security and Intelligence Adviser to President Maduro since January 2019 and
Gender: male General Director of SEBIN from February 2014 to October 2018. During the times he has served as SEBIN director, officials under his ultimate authority committed acts of arbitrary detention, torture and cruel and inhuman treatment, including sexual violence, in El Helicoide detention centre. As General Director of SEBIN, he is responsible for serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, inhuman and degrading treatment, and torture, and the repression of civil society and the democratic opposition in Venezuela.
7. Diosdado CABELLO Date of birth: 15 April 1963 Member of the non-democratically elected National Assembly, former President of the 22.1.2018 RONDÓN Constituent Assembly and First Vice-President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
Gender: male Involved in undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, including by using the media to publicly attack and threaten political opposition, other media and civil society and giving orders to detain individuals, including to the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN).
8. Tareck Zaidan Date of birth: 12 November 1974 Former Vice President of Economy and former Minister of the Popular Power of Petroleum as well 25.6.2018 EL-AISSAMI as National Industry and Production. As the former Vice President of Venezuela with oversight of
Gender: male MADDAH the direction of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), Tareck El-Aissami is responsible for the serious human rights violations carried out by the organisation, including arbitrary detentions, politically motivated investigations, inhuman and degrading treatment, and torture. He is also responsible for supporting and implementing policies and activities which undermine democracy and the rule of law, including the prohibition of public demonstrations, and heading President Maduro’s “anti-coup command” which has targeted civil society and the democratic opposition.
11. Iván HERNÁNDEZ Date of birth: 18 May 1966 Major-General in FANB. Director-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (DGCIM) since January 25.6.2018 DALA 2014 and Head of the Presidential Guard since September 2015. As Head of the DGCIM, Iván
Gender: male Hernández Dala is responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition and for serious human rights violations committed by members of the DGCIM under his command, including torture, the use of excessive force and the ill-treatment of detainees.
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http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2498/oj 3/6 Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
14. Sandra OBLITAS Date of birth: 7 June 1969 Minister of University Education. Former Rector of the Universidad Bolivariana de Venezuela. 25.6.2018 RUZZA Former Vice President of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and former President of the
Gender: female Commission of the Electoral and Civilian Register. Responsible for CNE activities which have undermined democracy in Venezuela, including by facilitating the establishment of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly and the manipulation of the electoral process.
16. Katherine Nayarith Date of birth: 5 December 1971 President of the Criminal Judicial Circuit of the Metropolitan Area of Caracas. Former Deputy 25.6.2018 HARRINGTON Prosecutor General (also translated as Deputy Attorney General) from July 2017 until October
Gender: female PADRÓN 2018. Appointed Deputy Prosecutor General by the Supreme Court rather than by the National Assembly, in violation of the Constitution. Responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by initiating politically-motivated prosecutions and failing to investigate allegations of human rights violations by the Maduro regime.
19. Néstor Neptali Date of birth: 26 September 1982 Commander in military counterintelligence zone No 32 in the Los Llanos region. As Major in the 27.9.2019 BLANCO Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), he has operated alongside officials in the Directorate-General of
ID number: V-15222057 HURTADO Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since at
Gender: male least December 2017. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities.
21. Carlos Alberto ID number: V-10352300 Official with the elite command of the Venezuelan National Police (PNB/FAES). Former senior 27.9.2019 CALDERÓN office holder (referred to as General Commissioner, Director of El Helicoide and Director of
Gender: male CHIRINOS Strategic Investigations) in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Officials of the Directorate for Strategic Investigations under his supervision have committed illegal detentions, acts of torture and other ill-treatment, and sexual and gender-based violence. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in SEBIN facilities. In particular, he has participated in and is responsible for acts of torture and the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees at El Helicoide, a SEBIN prison.
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http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2498/oj Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
23. Rafael Antonio Date of birth: 14 October 1973 Brigadier General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army (FANB). Agent in the Bolivarian 27.9.2019 FRANCO National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Head of Security at Maiquetía International Airport since
ID number: V-11311672 QUINTERO August 2019. Director of the Special Directorate of Criminal and Criminalistics Investigations
Gender: male (DEIPC) at the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) between November 2016 and November 2018. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the ill- treatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities by members of the DGCIM under his command, notably at the Boleita detention centre. Officials under his authority were also implicated in sexual violence against detainees. Also responsible for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition by members of the DGCIM under his command. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo.
24. Alexander Enrique Date of birth: 25 March 1981 Head (Director) of the Special Affairs Division (DAE) of the Directorate-General of Military 27.9.2019 GRANKO Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since 2017. Head
ID Number: V-14970215 ARTEAGA of Office of DGCIM’s Boleita detention centre since 29 August 2022. From 2017 to 2022 he
Gender: male ordered, supervised and directly participated in arbitrary detentions, short-term enforced disappearances, torture, including sexual violence, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel of the Bolivarian National Guard on 1 July
2020. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force causing death and injury and the ill-treatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities committed by himself and by officials under his command. Also responsible for the repression of civil society by members of DGCIM under his command, as well as being directly involved in such repression.
Linked to the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo.
25. Hannover Esteban Date of birth: 14 January 1971 Second Commander and Chief of Staff of the 35th Military Police Brigade since 2019. Director of 27.9.2019 GUERRERO the Special Directorate of Criminal and Criminalistics Investigations (DEIPC) at the Directorate-
Gender: male MIJARES General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar
(DGCIM)) from November 2018 to August 2019. As Director of DEIPC, he supervised the DGCIM facility in Boleita detention centre. During this period, acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well as sexual violence, were committed by DGCIM officials at Boleita. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the ill-treatment of detainees committed by himself and by officials under his command, particularly in Boleita. Linked to the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo.
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http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2498/oj 5/6 Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
29. Elvis Eduardo Date of birth: 4 August 1963 President of the National Electoral Commission of Venezuela since 24 August 2023. Former 29.6.2020 HIDROBO Comptroller General (between 23 October 2018and August 2023), and former First and Second
Place of birth: Caracas, Distrito AMOROSO Vice-President of the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly (ANC). His actions have Capital, Venezuela undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by banning opposition
ID number: V-7659695 members from holding public office for 15 years and leading the non-recognised ANC, signing the ‘law against hatred’, justifying the removal of a legally-elected opposition governor and
Gender: male banning Juan Guaidó from running for any public office.
31. Jorge Elieser Date of birth: 20 February 1971 Minister of the Office of the Presidency since November 2017 and Director-General of the 29.6.2020 MÁRQUEZ National Commission of Telecommunications (CONATEL) since 7 August 2017. His actions have
Place of birth: Caracas, Venezuela MONSALVE undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by severely limiting the rights
ID number: V-8714253 of the Venezuelan people to a free press, free speech and information. He used the special powers of CONATEL to silence criticism and dissidents of the regime by blocking, filtering and
Gender: male obstructing internet websites, by revoking existing licences for radio and television stations and by refusing to grant new ones.
38. Omar José PRIETO Date of birth: 25 May 1969 Former Governor of Zulia State (2017 – 2021). In this position he has undermined democracy 22.2.2021 FERNÁNDEZ and the rule of law in Zulia State. He was sworn in by the non-recognised National Constituent
ID number: V-9761075 Assembly (ANC), after the legitimate winner of the election refused to be sworn in by the ANC.
Gender: male Omar José Prieto Fernández actively promoted the non-democratic elections for the National Assembly, which took place on 6 December 2020. Moreover, in Zulia State he threatened opposition leaders with “house visits” and stated his intention to declare Zulia State independent should an interim government led by Juan Guaidó assume power. Active member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
51. Carlos Ramón ID-number: V-10132041 President of state enterprise Corporación Ecosocialista Ezequiel Zamora (CORPOEZ) since March 22.2.2021 Enrique CARVALLO 2021. Division General and Deputy Director of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-
Gender: male GUEVARA Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since 21 August 2020.
Successor of General Rafael Ramón Blanco Marrero. Previously, Carvallo Guevara served for the DGCIM in Los Andes region and held an upper rank in the Bolivarian National Guard.
Responsible for the serious human rights violations in Venezuela committed by DGCIM officials under his command. In the findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela of 20 September 2022, DGCIM is characterised as an institution directly responsible for carrying out severe human rights violations.
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http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2498/oj Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing
53. Carlos Enrique ID-number: V-8042567 Division General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Armed Forces since 2022. Director of the 22.2.2021’ TERÁN HURTADO Special Directorate of Criminal and Criminalistics Investigations (DEIPC) at the Directorate-
Gender: male General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar
(DGCIM)) from August 2019 to February 2021. In previous functions, Brigadier General Terán Hurtado served as head of the police in Falcón state and head of DGCIM in Táchira state.
Responsible for the serious human rights violations, including cruel and inhuman treatment of detainees, committed by DGCIM officials under his command. In the detailed findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Brigadier General Terán Hurtado is specifically pointed out as one of the responsible actors, and is linked to the Captain de la Sotta case.
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