A Venezuelan judge who made headlines for presiding over high-profile cases involving corruption and human rights abuses, earning international recognition for her bravery and independence.
Susana Barreiros, a Venezuelan judge, made headlines in 2015 when she led the case and sentenced opposition leader Leopoldo López to nearly 14 years in prison. This controversial ruling catapulted Barreiros into the spotlight, earning her recognition as a formidable figure in Venezuela's judicial system.
Barreiros began her career in the Judicial Branch in 2003, working her way up the ranks to become a respected and influential judge. Her big break came in 2010 when she was designated as the substitute for Judge María Lourdes Afiuni, who was imprisoned for sentencing a businessman to a light sentence. This led to Barreiros taking control of the First District Court of the Criminal Judicial Circuit of the Metropolitan Area of Caracas.
Barreiros has been instrumental in tackling high-profile cases, particularly those involving corruption and organized crime. In 2012, she was named one of Venezuela's antiterrorist judges, alongside Al Fabricio Paredes. Although Paredes was later dismissed for alleged ties to a drug trafficker, Barreiros continued to make a name for herself in the judicial system.
In 2014, she sentenced several individuals involved in a banking scandal, including José Nicolás Tovar Jiménez, Ramón Heraldo Paredes, and Laejandro Néstor Tineo Salas. Her work in this case earned her recognition as a fierce advocate for justice and a leader in fighting corruption.
In 2015, Barreiros graduated as a Magister in Criminal Law from the Universidad Santa María. This academic achievement solidified her position as a respected expert in her field.
In 2017, Canada sanctioned Barreiros, along with 39 other Venezuelan officials, citing her role in undermining democracy and human rights in Venezuela. This international rebuke marked a turning point in her career, as she faced scrutiny from the global community.
Through her career, Susana Barreiros has left an indelible mark on Venezuela's judicial system. While controversy has followed her at times, her commitment to justice and her role as a leader in the fight against corruption have earned her a reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the world of Venezuelan politics.
72 Years Old
The charismatic leader who transformed Venezuela through socialist reforms and anti-imperialist rhetoric, leaving a lasting impact on the country's politics and economy.
63 Years Old
The President of Venezuela, known for his controversial leadership and socialist policies, has been at the center of the country's economic and political crisis. He has been accused of authoritarianism and human rights abuses.
