Bladimir Lugo

Last updated
Bladimir Lugo
Personal details
Born
Bladimir Humberto Lugo Armas

(1968-11-18) November 18, 1968 (age 54)
Punta de Mata, Monagas, Venezuela
Known for Human rights violator
Military service
AllegianceFlag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela
Branch/service Venezuelan National Guard
Years of service1990–present
Rank Brigadier general
AwardsCross of the Presidential Guard

Bladimir Humberto Lugo Armas (born 18 November 1968) [1] [2] is a brigadier general of the Venezuelan National Guard. By 2017, he was the commander of the unit of this force that guarded the Federal Legislative Palace, the government buildings of Venezuela.

Contents

On 29 June 2017, he was decorated by President Nicolás Maduro with the order of the Cross of the Presidential Guard. [3] In light of human rights abuses against journalists, Venezuelan opposition politicians, and political opponents of Maduro, Lugo is currently subject to international sanctions from countries including the United States, Canada, and Panama.

Career

Bladimir Lugo has served in the Venezuelan National Guard (GNB) for two decades. In 2004, according to Gaceta Oficial (government communication) No. 38042, Lugo was appointed to the Investigative Council. During the tenure of defense minister Carmen Meléndez from July 2013 to October 2014, Lugo served as commander of the Miranda regiment of the National Command of the People's Guard. [1]

As of May 2019, Lugo currently serves as head of GNB Zone 11 Command (formerly known as Core 3) in Zulia state, replacing Brigadier General Alfonso Torres Páez, who died when the helicopter he was riding in, "Patriot", crashed in the parking lot of the Maracaibo bullring on 25 April 2019. [4]

Incidents and controversies

Serving as a high-ranking officer, Lugo has been accused of violence and seen other controversies regarding his or his staff's action or inaction in political situations.

Violence

Court summons

On 13 July 2017, the Public Ministry of Venezuela summoned Lugo for several cases of aggression against journalists, women, deputies, and demonstrators. These charges include the allegation that in December 2016, he assaulted NTN24 journalist Rafael Hernández and his work team, preventing him from entering the country's seat of the Vice President; an allegation that Lugo also pushed and tripped Antonieta Mendoza, the mother of imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo López; and that on 28 June 2017 he pushed the president of the National Assembly, Julio Borges. [3] [5]

Venezuelan banker Eligio Cedeño accused Lugo of being involved in the kidnapping of the Faddoul brothers in 2006, who were later found dead along with Cedeño's driver, and the kidnapping of Cedeño's daughter in 2005. At this time, the trial court ordered his investigation. [6] [7]

2017 Venezuelan National Assembly attack

External video
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Colonel Vladimir Lugo Armas pushes the president of the National Assembly, Julio Borges on YouTube
Members of the Bolivarian National Guard storming the National Assembly

On 27 June 2017, following the Caracas helicopter incident, Bolivarian National Guardsmen stormed the National Assembly and assaulted the largely opposition legislative body. [8] Images were published showing Lugo snapping his hand in the face of National Assembly speaker Julio Borges and later forcibly pushing the speaker through a door. [9] Other reports state that journalists were held captive by violent government supporters outside the building for over four hours without any intervention from the National Guard in the area. [10]

Two days later on 29 June 2017, Lugo was promoted by President Maduro and was granted the Order of the Presidential Guard Cross and the Medal of Honor of Merit under the banner of the National Guard. [3] [11]

Lugo was the commander of the unit that guarded the National Assembly when there were attacks against deputies and other people with the help of the National Guard on 5 July 2017. [12]

Disruptive orders

2017 Venezuelan referendum

On 16 July 2017, during the national referendum, Lugo was in charge of the security of the voting center near the El Carmen church in Caracas. In the afternoon, pro-government and opposition parties clashed in Catia until pro-government motorcyclists shot at citizens who were in the voting center, resulting in one deceased and three wounded. [12] According to Popular Will leader Pedro Benítez, and witnesses of the attack, Lugo refused to act to avoid a confrontation between the two groups, responding "that's not [his] problem". [13] [14]

Óscar Pérez burial

On 21 January 2018, journalist Nelson Bocaranda reported that Lugo had been in charge of moving the body of Óscar Pérez to the Cementerio del Este burial site in Caracas, and accuses him of being the one to close access to prevent the entry of relatives and other people to the site. [15]

Blocking the Assembly and alleged assaults on journalists

On 17 April 2018, on Lugo's orders, journalists were barred from entering the Federal Legislative Palace during the approval of the prosecution of Nicolás Maduro for acts of corruption requested by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela in exile. Lugo had the journalists wait for over an hour at the corner of San Francisco before finally deciding that they would not have access. [16]

On 15 May 2018, Lugo and officials of the Bolivarian National Guard were reported to have assaulted journalists and National Assembly deputies outside the National Constituent Assembly, denying them access. The National Union of Workers of the Press of Venezuela reported that it was the sixth time in less than a month in which press were denied access to the Federal Legislative Palace, with the first time occurring on 17 April. [17]

Tinedo Guía, the president of the National Association of Journalists (CNP), rejected the continuous violence towards journalists carried out by National Guardsmen commanded by Lugo, declaring him persona non grata. Additionally, due to violence, the College of Journalists alerted the international community to threats to freedom of expression in Venezuela and urged the Plan República and the various actors part of the 2018 presidential election process to respect and facilitate the work of the journalists and communicators during the elections. [18]

Sanctions

As the commander of the unit responsible for guarding the National Assembly, which has an opposition majority, Lugo has been accused of assaults and human rights abuses against journalists, Venezuelan opposition politicians, and political opponents of Maduro. As a response to these actions, several countries have placed international sanctions on Lugo.

On 9 August 2017, the United States Department of the Treasury placed sanctions on Lugo for his position in the Constituent National Assembly of Venezuela. His role is to provide security for the Federal Legislative Palace, which houses the pro-opposition National Assembly and the pro-government National Constituent Assembly. [19]

On 22 September 2017, the Canadian government sanctioned Lugo due to alleged "rupture of Venezuela's constitutional order" and prohibited Canadian citizens from dealing with him. [20] [21]

On 29 March 2018, the Panamanian government sanctioned Lugo for his alleged involvement with "money laundering, financing of terrorism and financing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction". [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicolás Maduro</span> President of Venezuela since 2013

Nicolás Maduro Moros is a Venezuelan politician who has served as the president of Venezuela since 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cilia Flores</span> Venezuelan politician and First Lady

Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro is a Venezuelan lawyer and politician. She is married to the President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro, making her the First Lady. Since 2015, she has also been a deputy in the National Assembly of Venezuela, of which she was president from 2006 to 2011, for her home state of Cojedes. In 2017, the Constituent National Assembly was founded, in which she is a member of the Presidential Commission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elías Jaua</span> Venezuelan politician

Elías José Jaua Milano is a Venezuelan politician and former university professor who serves as the Minister of Education of Venezuela. He served as the vice president of Venezuela from January 2010 to October 2012 and had been Minister of Foreign Affairs from January 2013 until September 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddy Bernal</span>

Freddy Alirio Bernal Rosales is the ex-mayor of the Libertador Municipality in Caracas, Venezuela and a member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protests against Nicolás Maduro</span> Series of political demonstrations

In 2014, a series of protests, political demonstrations, and civil insurrection began in Venezuela due to the country's high levels of urban violence, inflation, and chronic shortages of basic goods and services. Explanations for these worsening conditions vary, with analysis blaming strict price controls, alongside long-term, widespread political corruption resulting in the under-funding of basic government services. While protests first occurred in January, after the murder of actress and former Miss Venezuela Mónica Spear, the 2014 protests against Nicolás Maduro began in earnest that February following the attempted rape of a student on a university campus in San Cristóbal. Subsequent arrests and killings of student protesters spurred their expansion to neighboring cities and the involvement of opposition leaders. The year's early months were characterized by large demonstrations and violent clashes between protesters and government forces that resulted in nearly 4,000 arrests and 43 deaths, including both supporters and opponents of the government. Toward the end of 2014, and into 2015, continued shortages and low oil prices caused renewed protesting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juan Requesens</span> Venezuelan politician

Juan Requesens Martínez is a deputy of the Venezuelan National Assembly, elected in 2015 and sworn in on 5 January 2016. He was a student leader at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), and a leader of student opposition protesters during the 2014 Venezuelan protests. He led marches opposing the Government of Venezuela under President Nicolás Maduro, seeking "to turn the student rebellion into a broader social movement".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmen Meléndez</span> Venezuelan politician and Navy admiral

Carmen Teresa Meléndez Rivas is a Venezuelan politician and Navy admiral. She was Minister of Interior and Justice from 25 October 2014 to 9 March 2015, and Chief of Staff in President Nicolás Maduro's cabinet for nearly six months from March to September 2015. After a governorship in Lara (2017–2020), she headed the Interior Ministry for the second time, from October 2020 to August 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iris Varela</span> Venezuelan politician

María Iris Varela Rangel is a Venezuelan leftist politician, activist, criminologist, corrupt, member of the board of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and Minister of Popular Power for the Prison Service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Venezuelan protests</span> Protests in Venezuela against Nicolás Maduros political oppression of the opposition

The 2017 Venezuelan protests were a series of protests occurring throughout Venezuela. Protests began in January 2017 after the arrest of multiple opposition leaders and the cancellation of dialogue between the opposition and Nicolás Maduro's government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Venezuelan Constituent Assembly election</span>

Constituent Assembly elections were held in Venezuela on 30 July 2017 to elect the members of the 2017 Constituent National Assembly. Unlike the 1999 Constituent National Assembly, which was assembled following a referendum, the 2017 election was convened by the presidential decree of President Nicolás Maduro. Smartmatic, the Venezuelan-owned company which provided the voting machines, stated that the results were tampered with by the CNE, and that the turnout was off by at least one million votes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caracas helicopter incident</span> Police helicopter attacks supreme court with grenades

On 27 June 2017, there was an incident involving a police helicopter at the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) and Interior Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela. Claiming to be a part of an anti-government coalition of military, police and civilians, the occupants of the helicopter allegedly launched several grenades and fired at the building, although no one was injured or killed. President Nicolás Maduro called the incident a "terrorist attack". The helicopter escaped and was found the next day in a rural area. On 15 January 2018, Óscar Pérez, the pilot and instigator of the incident, was killed during a military raid by the Venezuelan army that was met with accusations of extrajudicial killing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Venezuelan referendum</span>

A referendum was held in Venezuela on 16 July 2017. The referendum was called by the National Assembly in response to the constitutional crisis and President Nicolás Maduro's plans for a Constituent Assembly. The referendum was an act of civil disobedience in the context of the application of Articles 333 and 350 of the Venezuelan constitution, with the articles calling for Venezuelans to "disown any regime ... that violates democratic values", especially since the National Electoral Council and the Supreme Tribunal of Justice were not recognized in the referendum. The opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) announced that there would be 2,030 areas for the popular consultation nationwide to serve more than 19 million voters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venezuelan presidential crisis</span> Political crisis in Venezuela from 2019 to 2023

The Venezuelan presidential crisis was a political crisis concerning the leadership and the legitimate president of Venezuela between 2019 and 2023, with the nation and the world divided in support for Nicolás Maduro or Juan Guaidó.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the 2019 Venezuelan protests</span> Overview of events

The 2019 Venezuelan protests began in the first days of January as a result of the Venezuelan presidential crisis. Protests against the legitimacy of the Nicolás Maduro's presidency began at the time of his second inauguration following a controversial presidential election in 2018. Rallies of support were also held for President of the National Assembly, Juan Guaidó, with some Venezuelans and foreign government's recognizing him as the acting President of Venezuela.

Nicolás Maduro, incumbent President of Venezuela since 2013 and successor of Hugo Chávez, was officially nominated for re-election as the presidential candidate of the Great Patriotic Pole (GPP) on 4 February 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tania Díaz</span> Venezuelan journalist and politician

Tania Valentina Díaz González is a Venezuelan journalist and politician. She was deputy of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) representing the Capital District and Minister of Communication and Information of Venezuela in 2010, as well as deputy and second vice-president of the National Assembly until 2016. Diaz served as the last first vice president of the 2017 National Constituent Assembly (ANC).

Hermann Eduardo Escarrá Malave is a Venezuelan lawyer, university professor and political analyst. He was a member of the National Constituent Assembly since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Venezuelan presidential election</span>

Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Venezuela by 2024 to choose a president for a six-year term beginning on 10 January 2025. Leading opposition candidates have been disqualified from participating in the election during campaign or in previous elections. In June 2023, the leading candidate María Corina Machado was barred from participating by the Venezuelan government for alleged political crimes. This move has been regarded by the opposition as violation of political human rights and has been condemned by international bodies like the Organization of American States, the European Union, and Human Rights Watch, as well as countries such as Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Chile, Canada and France.

Jesús Rafael Suárez Chourio is a Venezuelan military officer who served as the General Commander of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela from 20 June 2017 until 8 July 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darío Vivas</span> Venezuelan politician (1950–2020)

Darío Ramón Vivas Velasco was a Venezuelan politician, member of the 2017 National Constituent Assembly and the Governor of the Capital District.

References

  1. 1 2 "Bladimir Lugo Armas". Poderopedia (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 April 2019.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. ↑ Weffer Cifuentes, Laura (15 May 2018). "Journalists, women and politicians are targets for the loose hand of Colonel Lugo". Efecto Cocuyo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 "Maduro decorated Colonel Vladimir Lugo with the order Cross of the Presidential Honor Guard". Panorama.com.ve (in Spanish). 29 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  4. ↑ "Governor accompanied the oath of General Lugo Armas as head of the GNB Zone 11 Command". Panorama.com.ve. 16 May 2019. Archived from the original on 20 May 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  5. ↑ "Prosecutor's office quotes Colonel Bladimir Lugo for human rights violations". El Nacional (in Spanish). 10 July 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  6. ↑ "The history of abuses of Venezuelan Colonel Bladimir Lugo". Diario las Américas (in Spanish). 28 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  7. ↑ "They link Colonel Lugo in case of Faddoul brothers". El Nacional (in Spanish). 28 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  8. ↑ "Maduro Says Helicopter Fired on Venezuela's Supreme Court". NBC 6 South Florida. 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  9. ↑ "Tras asedio contra la AN y maltrato a Borges, Maduro condecora al coronel "gorila" Lugo (Video)". La Patilla (in European Spanish). 29 June 2017. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  10. ↑ "Diputados y periodistas en la AN permanecieron "secuestrados" por más de cuatro horas tras asedio oficialista". La Patilla (in European Spanish). 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  11. ↑ "After a siege against the AN and mistreatment of Borges, Maduro decorates colonel "gorilla" Lugo (Video)". La Patilla (in Spanish). 29 June 2017. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Archbishop of Caracas was besieged in Catia by violent groups". El Pitazo (in Spanish). 16 July 2017. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  13. ↑ "1 dead and 3 injured during popular consultation in Catia". Noticiero Digital (in Spanish). 16 July 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  14. ↑ Flores Riofrio, Jorge (16 July 2017). "Colonel Lugo refused to avoid collective action, claiming attack witnesses in Catia". Efecto Cocuyo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  15. ↑ "Outrageous! Bladimir Lugo was in charge of removing and burying the body of Óscar Pérez". El Cooperante (in Spanish). 21 January 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  16. ↑ "AN approves prosecution against President Nicolás Maduro with 105 votes in favor". Efecto Cocuyo (in Spanish). 17 April 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  17. ↑ "Such were the aggressions committed by Colonel Lugo in the AN". El Nacional (in Spanish). 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  18. ↑ "National Association of Journalists declared Vladimir Lugo persona non grata". El Nacional (in Spanish). 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  19. ↑ "Treasury Sanctions Eight Individuals Involved in Venezuela's Illegitimate Constituent Assembly". United States Department of the Treasury . 9 August 2017. Archived from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  20. ↑ "Venezuela sanctions". Government of Canada . 22 September 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  21. ↑ "Canada sanctions 40 Venezuelans with links to political, economic crisis". The Globe and Mail . 22 September 2017. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  22. ↑ "Estos son los 55 "rojitos" que Panamá puso en la mira por fondos dudosos | El Cooperante". El Cooperante (in European Spanish). 2018-03-29. Archived from the original on 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.