US lifts sanctions on ex-Venezuelan general

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. on Tuesday removed sanctions on a former high-ranking Venezuelan intelligence official who defected from the government last week.

Manuel Ricardo Cristopher Figuera was the Director General of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, which is known by its Spanish-language acronym SEBIN, as well as a general in the Venezuelan military.

He was designated Feb. 15 for serving Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid a political stalemate with opposition leader Juan Guaido who declared himself president in January.

The Trump administration has called on Maduro's senior officials and military to throw their support behind Guaido, offering the removal of sanctions should they change course.

"Today’s action, taken in consultation with the U.S. Department of State, demonstrates that U.S. sanctions need not be permanent and are intended to bring about a positive change of behavior," the Treasury Department said in a statement.

"The delisting of Cristopher also shows the good faith of the United States that removal of sanctions may be available for designated persons who take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order, refuse to take part in human rights abuses, speak out against abuses committed by the illegitimate Maduro regime, or combat corruption in Venezuela," it added.

All property owned by Christopher subject to U.S. jurisdiction has been unblocked and U.S. persons are no longer subject to restrictions on doing business with the former intelligence official.