Manuel Cristopher Figuera | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Director ofSEBIN | |
| In office 30 October 2018 – 30 April 2019 | |
| President | Nicolás Maduro |
| Preceded by | Gustavo González López |
| Succeeded by | Gustavo González López |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1963-11-08)8 November 1963 (age 61) Punta de Mata, Monagas, Venezuela |
| Alma mater | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Venezuela |
| Branch |  Venezuelan Army |
| Rank | .PNG) Major general |
Manuel Ricardo Cristopher Figuera is the former director of theBolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) and formermajor general of theVenezuelan army.[1] He is known for being a main conspirator during the failed2019 Venezuelan uprising.[2]
Christopher Figuera was born on 8 November 1963 inPunta de Mata,Monagas, Venezuela.[1][2] He graduated from theMilitary Academy of Venezuela in 1989 with a military sciences and arts degree.[2] He would later earn a master's degree in strategic management degree from theUniversidad Nacional Experimental Simón Rodríguez in 2007, a master's in military sciences and arts and a doctorate in security of the nation from theBolivarian Military University of Venezuela.[1]
Under Chávez, Christopher Figuera served as an aide for over twelve years.[2] He became the deputy director of theDirectorate General of Military Intelligence in 2007.[2]
In July 2017, he was appointed director of the Strategic Center for Security and Protection of the Fatherland (CESSPA) by PresidentNicolás Maduro.[2] Following incidents that occurred underGustavo González López's leadership while director of SEBIN, Christopher Figuera was named his replacement on 30 October 2018.[2]
During the 2019 Venezuelan uprising, Christopher Figuera was a main conspirator who attempted to persuade Maduro to resign his claim of Venezuela's presidency.[2] Cristopher Figuera fled to the US after the events.[3] In an interview withThe Washington Post, he gave declarations on illicit gold deals by the Maduro administration, onHezbollah cells in Venezuela and on the extent of Cuban influence in the military.[3]
Officials of Maduro's security and intelligence were sanctioned by the US (February 2019) and Canada (April 2019) for helping suppress democracy, the list included Cristopher Figuera.[4][5][6] The US Treasury Department says the security officials are responsible for torture, human rights abuses, and extrajudicial killings.[4][5]
Following the 30 April 2019 uprising, the governments of the US (May 2019) and Canada (June 2019) removed sanctions against Cristopher Figuera.[7][8][9] The US Treasury Department press release said the action demonstrated 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".[10]