Former Venezuelan Intelligence Chief Admits to U.S. Drug Trafficking and Narco-Terrorism Charges

A former high-ranking Venezuelan intelligence official, closely tied to the late President Hugo Chávez, confessed to drug trafficking charges just days before his proceedings were to commence in a New York federal courtroom.

Hugo Carvajal, who had spent years evading capture by U.S. authorities, was extradited from Spain in 2023. This came after an unsuccessful arrest attempt in Aruba during his tenure as a diplomat for Nicolás Maduro’s administration.

In Manhattan court, Carvajal admitted guilt to four criminal charges, one being narco-terrorism. The indictment characterized him as the head of a cartel led by top Venezuelan military officials attempting to inundate the United States with cocaine with help from Colombian leftist guerrillas.

Prosecutors informed the defense that federal guidelines suggest Carvajal, aged 65, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of half a century behind bars.

Nicknamed "El Pollo," Carvajal was an advisor to Chávez for many years. Eventually, he distanced himself from Chávez's successor, Maduro, and aligned with the political opposition backed by the U.S.

In a secret recording, Carvajal called for military insurgence during widespread protests aimed at replacing Maduro with Juan Guaidó, whom the Trump administration recognized as Venezuela’s rightful leader of the National Assembly.

The anticipated military uprising failed, prompting Carvajal to escape to Spain. There, he hid until Spanish authorities arrested him in 2021 after he ignored extradition orders and vanished.

Carvajal’s unconditioned admission of guilt might be a strategic move to garner favor through cooperation against adversaries like Maduro, whose nation possesses immense oil reserves.

Although no longer in power, he could potentially provide intel on the operations of the Venezuelan gang Aragua Train into the U.S. and espionage activities involving the Maduro-friendly governments of Cuba, Russia, China, and Iran.

Additionally, he might be seeking attention from former President Trump with data regarding the voting technology company Smartmatic, which was embroiled in controversy following the 2020 U.S. elections.

Smartmatic’s U.S. operations suffered dramatically after misinformation aired on Fox News Network accused it of election rigging. One of the company’s Venezuelan co-founders later faced charges in the U.S. over a bribery scandal linked to their work in the Philippines.

Gary Berntsen, a former CIA officer with experience in Latin America, publicly appealed to Trump to postpone Carvajal’s trial, giving authorities time to extract vital intelligence from the former strategist.

"He possesses a morally dubious character, but his intel is crucial for protecting democratic principles," Berntsen stated.

Carvajal’s lawyer, Robert Feitel, revealed that prosecutors admitted there was no plea offered nor attempts to communicate with Carvajal.

"A missed opportunity of significant proportions," Feitel suggested, declining further remarks, but emphasizing his client's value to U.S. national security and legal agencies.

In 2011, allegations surfaced accusing Carvajal of orchestrating the transport of 12,300 pounds of cocaine via an aircraft from Venezuela to Mexico in 2006. In return, he allegedly accepted vast sums from drug operators.

He purportedly coordinated this as a leader of the 'Cartel of the Suns,' named after the sun emblems on Venezuelan military uniforms. The cocaine came from the Colombian group FARC, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., which operated out of Venezuela while attempting to topple the Colombian government.

DEA's Robert Murphy remarked, "Carvajal exploited his intelligence role, compromising Venezuelan interests to inflict harm on the U.S. His capture ensures he faces extensive imprisonment."

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized in a statement that Carvajal's plea underscores a commitment to prosecute foreign officials who use their power to harm U.S. citizens.