This archive report was first published on 3 January 2020.
US Targets Cuban Defense Chief Over Venezuela Involvement ¶
On January 3, 2020, the United States imposed a travel ban on General Leopoldo Cintra Frias, Cuba's Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR), in response to his regime's alleged human rights abuses in Venezuela.
According to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, MINFAR, alongside Maduro's military and intelligence officers, has been involved in gross human rights violations and abuses in Venezuela, including torture and cruel treatment of Venezuelans who oppose Maduro's regime.
"Dismantling Venezuela's democracy by terrifying Venezuelans into submission is the goal of MINFAR and the Cuban regime," Pompeo stated.
The travel ban also applies to two of Cintra Frias' children, Deborah Cintra Gonzalez and Leopoldo Cintra Gonzalez.
The US has recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate interim leader of Venezuela, but Cuba, along with Russia and China, continues to support the embattled Maduro regime.
