Executive Summary

Granko Arteaga, a former middle officer from the Venezuelan National Guard (GNB) turned director of paramilitary operations in the Military Counterintelligence Directorate (DAE), is unofficially the next in line for taking over the Venezuelan Intelligence Community. 

“Beard,” as he named himself on internal callsigns, is not only named on numerous United Nations reports as being directly responsible for widespread torture against political dissidents, but is also claimed to be the officer behind a clandestine operation program to target opposition figures overseas. Arteaga’s possible ascension as de facto head of Venezuelan intelligence may bring with him an increase in clandestine operations in foreign countries, as well as the continuity of torture against detainees. [source, source] 

Venezuela’s Intelligence Community (SEBIN/DGCIM) is likely to continue suffering from poor operational security, as the now lieutenant colonel has a track record of pursuing a public communication policy that involves social media videos of covert operations and paramilitary training. [source]

Profile

Alexander Enrique Granko Arteaga (DOB: 25/03/1981) graduated as a junior lieutenant in 1998 from the National Guard Military Academy (AMGNB). During the first years of his career, he served as junior officer in the intelligence division of the National Guard. Later, he transferred to Hugo Chavez’s presidential guard as a third ring protection officer. Experts believe this is where Arteaga developed a friendship with Iván Rafael Hernández Dala, who would later become director of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) under Nicolás Maduro second administration. [source]

Granko Arteaga began his work with Hernández Dala with the rank of mayor. Thanks to his closeness to the Director, he was named as the acting head General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) as an aide to paramilitary operations. He also came to oversee the Especial Affairs Division (DAE) when it shifted from an underfunded tactical team into a parallel structure. UN experts claim the pattern of torture in Venezuelan intelligence black sites increased when he arrived paramilitary operations acting director. [source]

Despite the paramilitary background, his public stunts as a military showman and business entrepreneur created a practice of poor operational security. Arteaga’s release on social media of sensitive information, including videos of black sites and covert operations, helped independent journalists and international researchers document accusations of crimes against humanity. [source]

He is sanctioned in the US, the EU, and the UK for alleged human rights violations and crimes against humanity. Yhuryseck Granko, his wife, assumed legal ownership of their Alexander Enrique business in Latin America and the US after the sanctions. Luis Ignacio Granko Arteaga, his brother, used family influence to become a Venezuelan Department of Motor Vehicles officer. [source, source, source]