Acting Venezuelan President Rodriguez appointed an official sanctioned by the US to head the presidential guard and military reconnaissance police force. This is Maduro's first major security move since her arrest. Gonzalez is an Army Major General and Maduro's long-time ally. Maduro was captured by the US military during a military operation last Saturday. The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Gonzalez in 2015 on the grounds that he “acted excessively” in response to the protests, including suspected human rights violations and persecution of political opponents.

Acting Venezuelan President Rodriguez appointed an official sanctioned by the US to head the presidential guard and military reconnaissance police force. This is Maduro's first major security move since her arrest. Gonzalez is an Army Major General and Maduro's long-time ally. Maduro was captured by the US military during a military operation last Saturday. The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Gonzalez in 2015 on the grounds that he “acted excessively” in response to the protests, including suspected human rights violations and persecution of political opponents.