Hugo Carvajal, once the top intelligence officer in Venezuela, has admitted in a US court that he helped run a major drug operation.
The US Department of Justice says Carvajal worked with other high-ranking Venezuelan officials and Colombia’s FARC rebel group to send large amounts of cocaine into the United States.
Carvajal, now 65, was a powerful figure in Venezuela for many years. He worked closely with former President Hugo Chávez and led the country’s military intelligence service.
Prosecutors say he used his position to protect drug shipments and make sure they reached the US. The US government charged Carvajal with several crimes, including helping terrorists, smuggling cocaine, and using weapons illegally.
He could spend the rest of his life in prison. Carvajal pleaded guilty just before his trial was supposed to start. Carvajal’s group, known as the “Cartel of the Suns,” included other military leaders who used their jobs to move drugs.
They worked with FARC, a group that has fought the Colombian government for decades and funded itself by selling drugs. Together, they sent tons of cocaine through Venezuela and into the US.
Former Venezuelan Spy Chief Faces U.S. Justice
After Carvajal broke ties with Venezuela’s current president, Nicolás Maduro, he left the country. He hid in Spain for years before being sent to the US in 2023. US officials believe Carvajal knows a lot about how Venezuela’s government is connected to crime.
This case shows how drug trafficking can reach the highest levels of government. Carvajal and his partners used their power to help criminals and hurt the rule of law. The US has punished Venezuela with sanctions, saying its leaders are corrupt and involved in crime.
Carvajal may now help US authorities by sharing information about other Venezuelan officials involved in drug trafficking. His sentence will be decided in October. This case could have a big impact on both Venezuela’s government and the fight against international drug crime.
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