Franklyn Duarte

Franklyn Leonardo Duarte is a Venezuelan politician who currently serves as deputy to the National Assembly representing Táchira.[1] Duarte assumed the post in October 2017 after the main deputy, Laidy Gómez, was elected governor of Táchira.[2]

Controversies

Threats from the Maduro government

Duarte has received repeated threats from Freddy Bernal and on 24 April 2019 he denounced that violent groups marked the home of several opposition leaders in the state with the acronym of the National Liberation Army (ELN), next to his, whose gate was struck with stones. Duarte also denounced that pamphlets were left under the doors of the houses with his name and that of other opposition politicians in which they are accused as "terrorists."[3]

2020 Venezuelan National Assembly Delegated Committee election

Main article: 2020 Venezuelan National Assembly Delegated Committee election

On 5 January 2020, during the Election of the Delegate Commission of the National Assembly of Venezuela, the first vice president of the National Assembly was elected by Luis Parra, in an act denounced as void by the opposition majority.[4]

Following the events, the COPEI party announced that deputies Franklyn Duarte and Manuel González would be sent to the party's disciplinary council for their involvement in Parra's proclamation.[5] Duarte was subsequently expelled from COPEI on 6 January 2020.[6][7]

Sanctions

Main article: International sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis

The United States Department of the Treasury sanctioned Duarte, Luis Parra and five others relation to Operación Alacrán, "who, at the bidding of Maduro, attempted to block the democratic process in Venezuela", according to US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin on 13 January 2020.[8] Those sanctioned have had their US assets frozen and have been banned from doing business with US financial markets and US citizens.[8]

In June 2020, Luis Parra, Franklyn Duarte, Jose Gregorio Noriega, alongside other 8 individuals were sanctioned by the European Union after the Supreme Tribunal of Justice certified Parra as president of the National Assembly.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Franklyn Leonardo Duarte". Asamblea Nacional de Venezuela. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  2. ^ Web, El Nnacional (26 October 2017). "Laidy Gómez se juramentó este jueves ante el Consejo Legislativo". El Nacional (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Diputado denunció que marcan casas de dirigentes opositores en Táchira". El Nacional. 24 April 2019.
  4. ^ "¿Quién es Luis Parra, el diputado electo presidente del Parlamento venezolano?". Voz de América (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Copei envía a Franklyn Duarte a tribunal disciplinario luego de traicionar a la oposición y venderse a la dictadura". Alberto News. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  6. ^ Duque, Mariana (6 January 2020). "Franklyn Duarte fue expulsado de Copei y del Frente Amplio en Táchira". El Pitazo (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Copei-Táchira releva a Franklin Duarte de la secretaría general". Tal Cual. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  8. ^ a b "U.S. targets Maduro-picked top legislator, six others in fresh Venezuelan sanctions". Reuters. 1 January 2020. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Venezuela's Maduro orders EU envoy to leave following fresh sanctions". Reuters. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.