Venezuela Spy Chief Pleads Guilty To Narco-Terrorism Charges

Former Venezuelan military intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal has pleaded guilty to narco-terrorism charges, marking a major development in the U.S. Justice Department's crackdown on international drug trafficking linked to political figures. Carvajal, known as “El Pollo,” served under former President Hugo Chávez and was considered one of the most influential figures in the Venezuelan intelligence community.

Carvajal admitted in a U.S. federal court that he conspired with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a designated terrorist organization, to import large quantities of cocaine into the United States. The operation, investigators revealed, was allegedly used to finance armed activities and political agendas under the guise of anti-imperialist resistance.

His guilty plea is a significant breakthrough in the ongoing effort by U.S. authorities to expose the so-called “Cartel of the Suns,” a network of senior Venezuelan military and political officials accused of facilitating drug shipments through South America. According to the indictment, Carvajal not only coordinated drug routes but also provided weapons and logistical support to the FARC in exchange for payments.

Carvajal was arrested in Spain in 2019 and extradited to the United States in 2023 after years of legal battles and attempts to avoid capture. During his time in hiding, he claimed to possess valuable intelligence about corruption within the Venezuelan government and allegedly offered to cooperate with Western intelligence agencies.

Now awaiting sentencing, Carvajal faces the possibility of decades behind bars. Prosecutors have indicated that his cooperation could influence the final outcome, though the scale of the charges suggests a significant sentence.

This case highlights the blurred lines between politics, drug trafficking, and terrorism in regions with weakened rule of law. It also represents a broader message from the U.S. that no one is above accountability, regardless of rank or former alliances.