Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has appointed General Gustavo Enrique González López, the former chief of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) under deposed leader Nicolás Maduro, as her head of security. This decision has raised significant concerns, particularly given González López’s controversial history involving human rights violations.
González López, aged 66, was named commander of the Presidential Honor Guard on October 17, 2023, according to a report by Univision Noticias. SEBIN has been widely condemned by various human rights organizations and the United Nations for its brutal tactics, which include torture and sexual violence against political opponents. His appointment comes amid ongoing questions about Rodríguez’s legitimacy following her recent rise to power.
Background on SEBIN and Human Rights Violations
Under González López’s leadership, SEBIN has been implicated in numerous human rights abuses. The organization has been described as a repressive force akin to a secret police. It has faced accusations of carrying out acts of torture against pro-democracy activists, as highlighted by the Venezuelan human rights group Asociación Civil Control Ciudadano. Internationally, González López has been sanctioned for his role in these violations by several countries, including the United States, Canada, Panama, Switzerland, and the European Union.
The United States initially imposed sanctions on González López following violent protests in 2014, during which hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans demonstrated against worsening living conditions. In a 2015 presidential order, former President Barack Obama labeled Venezuela “a threat to national security,” sanctioning González López and others for their roles in repressing dissent.
The situation escalated further in 2017, when Canada sanctioned González López in response to another wave of anti-Maduro protests that resulted in at least 125 fatalities. Canadian officials described the actions as a reaction to Venezuela’s increasing authoritarianism.
Rodríguez’s Leadership Amid Turmoil
Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president on October 15, 2023, just days after a high-profile operation by US special forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in connection with charges of narco-terrorism and weapons offenses. While Rodríguez has expressed intentions to “collaborate” with the United States on various development initiatives, she has yet to receive formal recognition from US President Donald Trump.
In comments made aboard Air Force One, Trump indicated that his priority was to address the challenges facing Venezuela rather than focus solely on regime change. He cautioned that if the Venezuelan leadership does not improve conditions, further actions may be considered.
The appointment of González López as security chief raises critical questions about the future of human rights in Venezuela under Rodríguez’s leadership. As she navigates her new role, the implications of welcoming a figure with such a contentious past remain to be seen.
