Antonio José Benavides

Antonio José Benavides Torres (born 13 June 1961) is a Venezuelan Major General and former commander of the Venezuelan National Guard.[1]

For the Spanish general, see Antonio de Benavides.
For other uses, see Antonio José.
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Benavides and the second or maternal family name is Torres.

Antonio José Benavides
Personal details
Born
Antonio José Benavides Torres

(1961-06-13) June 13, 1961
Venezuela
NationalityVenezuelan
Military service
Allegiance Venezuela
Branch/serviceNational Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela
RankMajor General

As of 2015, Benavides was head of the Central Integral Defense Strategic Region for the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela.[2]

Benavides was Head of Government of the Capital District.[3]

Benavides took a one-year course from the United States Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in Georgia in 2000.[2]

International sanctions

Benavides has been sanctioned by several countries.

United States

The U.S. sanctioned Benavides for his role in the 2014 Venezuelan protests.[2] U.S. President Barack Obama issued a presidential order in 2015 declaring Venezuela a "threat to its national security" and ordered the United States Department of the Treasury to freeze property and assets of seven Venezuelan officials.[4][5] The U.S. held the seven individuals, including Benavides, responsible for "excesses committed in the repression of the demonstrations of February 2014 that left at least 43 dead" including "erosion of human rights guarantees, persecution of political opponents, restrictions on press freedom, violence and human rights abuses in response to anti-government protests, arbitrary arrests and arrests of anti-government protesters, and significant public corruption" according to BBC Mundo.[6]

Canada

Canada sanctioned 40 Venezuelan officials, including Benavides, in September 2017.[7][8] The sanctions were for behaviors that undermined democracy after at least 125 people will killed in the 2017 Venezuelan protests and "in response to the government of Venezuela's deepening descent into dictatorship".[7] Canadians were banned from transactions with the 40 individuals, whose Canadian assets were frozen.[7]

European Union

The European Union sanctioned seven Venezuela officials, including Benavides, on 18 January 2018, singling them out as being responsible for deteriorating democracy in the country.[9] The sanctioned individuals were prohibited from entering the nations of the European Union, and their assets were frozen.[10]

Panama

In March 2018, Panama sanctioned 55 public officials, including Benavides,[11] and Switzerland implemented sanctions, freezing the assets of seven ministers and high officials, including Benavides, due to human rights violations and deteriorating rule of law and democracy.[12]

Mexico

On 20 April 2018, the Mexican Senate froze the assets of officials of the Maduro administration, including Benavides, and prohibited them from entering Mexico.[13]

References
  1. "Issuance of a new Venezuela-related Executive Order; Venezuela-related Designations". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  2. Reyes, Gerardo (13 March 2015). "Militar venezolano sancionado es graduado de polémica Escuela de las Américas" (in Spanish). Univision. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  3. "Himno Nacional, Alma Llanera y sana PAZ sin órganos de represión: Marcha nocturna honró a los caídos en sede OEA". La Patilla (in Spanish). 21 June 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  4. Rhodan, Maya (9 March 2015). "White House sanctions seven officials in Venezuela". Time. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  5. "U.S. declares Venezuela a national security threat, sanctions top officials". Reuters. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  6. "Qué significa que EE.UU. considere a Venezuela 'una amenaza para la seguridad nacional'". BBC Mundo. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  7. "Canada imposes sanctions on key Venezuelan officials". CBC Canada. Thomson Reuters. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  8. Zilio, Michelle (22 September 2017). "Canada sanctions 40 Venezuelans with links to political, economic crisis". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 3 April 2019. Also at Punto de Corte and El Nacional
  9. "Quiénes son los 7 funcionarios de Venezuela sancionados por la Unión Europea y de qué se les acusa". BBC Mundo (in Spanish). 22 January 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  10. "EU imposes sanctions on 7 senior Venezuelan officials". Associated Press. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  11. "Los 55 funcionarios sancionados por Panamá por 'blanqueo de capitales'". El Nacional (in Spanish). 30 March 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2019. Also at Panama Economic and Finance Ministry Archived 5 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Swiss impose sanctions on seven senior Venezuelan officials". Reuters. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2019. Also at Diario Las Americas
  13. "México rechaza elecciones en Venezuela y sanciona a siete funcionarios". Sumarium group (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 April 2018. Also at VPITV
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