Venezuela's heavily sanctioned head of intelligence services Gustavo Gonzalez has moved to a top position in state-owned oil company PdV, the company confirmed.
Gustavo Enrique Gonzalez Lopez, 65, is a major general in the Venezuelan army who will now head the newly created office of strategic affairs and oil production control at PdV, the company told Argus. He will report to PdV president Hector Obregon.
Gonzalez from 2019-2024 has headed Sebin, Venezuela's intelligence service accused by the UN and the International Criminal Court of being instrumental in pursuing Maduro's political enemies.
Gonzalez has been sanctioned or banned from entering by the US, EU, UK, Switzerland and other countries. The accusations and precautionary measures generally revolve around crimes against humanity.
The move comes after the administration of President Nicolas Maduro said it hoped to achieve "dialogue and mutual respect" with the US after former president Donald Trump won the US election on Tuesday. Trump implemented heavy sanctions against Venezuela's oil sector during his first term.
