Bladimir Lugo
[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.[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.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.[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.[15] 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.