Former high Venezuelan military intelligence chief has pleaded guilty in a Manhattan federal court to conspiracy involving narcoterrorism and drug trafficking charges, increasing US pressure on the government led by Nicolás Maduro.
Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios (known as "El Pollo" or “The Chicken”), who served as Venezuela's military intelligence director under Hugo Chávez and his successor Maduro, admitted to four federal counts ahead of a trial set for Wednesday. These charges stem from allegations that he orchestrated drug-trafficking activities within the Venezuelan government apparatuses during periods when officials supposedly used cocaine as an intimidation tool in cities like New York and beyond, according to US Attorney Jay Clayton's remarks.
Despite his opposition stance towards Maduro since 2019—supporting a failed coup led by the then-opposition leader Juan Guaido who was recognized as Venezuela’s rightful head of state under President Trump — Carvajal had been under US investigative lens even before. In fact, back in 2020, his extradition to America from Spain became a reality following an indictment by the Justice Department which accused him and other top Venezuelan officials (including Maduro) of participating in narcoterrorism crimes alongside running what is called Cartel de las Sábanas.
The US allegation points out that, spanning from 1999 to early 2023 there was a conspiratorial engagement between the Venezuelan government and former Colombian rebel group Farc (now dismantled following its peace deal with Colombia in '16), involving smuggling cocaine into American territories. The involvement of Maduro, Carvajal along with other prominent figures is under question herein as the Cartel de las Sábanas — not a state-controlled entity but rather an amalgamation or “networks” consisting various drug trafficking factions shielded by elements within Venezuela’s own establishment.
An anonymous source from The Miami Herald suggested Carvajal could be collaborating with US authorities, possibly disclosing information about Maduro's illicit narcotics operations, the notorious Tren de Aragua gang and even potential links between his nation to Iran in return for leniency or immunity.
During upcoming sentencing hearing this October where he faces life imprisonment per count — which could be exposed as part of these negotiations; co-defendants include Maduro, the Venezuelan Interior Minister and two former Farc leaders (one among whom was murdered in a secret operation by Colombian Military).
The Biden administration made this one last Latin America related act toward year’s end — increasing bounty for both Maduros to $25 million within context of narcoterrorism case. One implication being Carvajal's testimony could be beneficial not only towards his survival prospect but also shedding light onto deeper international drug trafficking and narco-terror networks, thus aiding in crackdown efforts against these pervasive threats worldwide.
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