Venezuela’s former spy chief Hugo Carvajal has admitted to conspiring with terrorist groups to smuggle tons of cocaine into the United States, revealing the alarming depth of narcoterrorism networks operating with state protection.
Key Takeaways
- Hugo Carvajal, Venezuela’s former military intelligence director, has pled guilty to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges in U.S. federal court
- Carvajal worked with the FARC terrorist group and Cartel de Los Soles to ship massive cocaine quantities, including a 5.6-ton shipment intercepted in Mexico
- The former general accepted millions from drug traffickers and authorized violence including kidnappings and murder to protect trafficking operations
- Carvajal faces between 20 years to life imprisonment with sentencing scheduled for October 29, 2025
- His confession represents a significant victory in dismantling state-sponsored drug trafficking networks
Venezuela’s Former Intelligence Chief Admits to Narcoterrorism
Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, once Venezuela’s powerful military intelligence director, has pled guilty to serious charges including conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, narco-terrorism, and weapons offenses. His admission in a U.S. federal court marks a significant breakthrough in the fight against state-sponsored drug trafficking. Carvajal’s confession reveals how he exploited his high-ranking position within the Venezuelan government to facilitate massive drug shipments and provide protection to notorious drug trafficking organizations, highlighting the corruption within Venezuelan leadership circles.
“The deeply troubling reality is that there are powerful foreign government officials who conspire to flood the United States with drugs that kill and debilitate,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.
Cartel Connections and Criminal Activities
Carvajal’s criminal activities included collaboration with the Cartel de Los Soles (Cartel of the Suns), a drug trafficking organization allegedly comprised of high-ranking Venezuelan military officials. More disturbing was his partnership with the FARC, a Colombian terrorist organization responsible for countless atrocities. Court documents reveal Carvajal coordinated massive cocaine shipments destined for American streets, including a 5.6-ton shipment that was ultimately seized in Mexico. His position as intelligence director allowed him to provide armed protection for drug operations and access sensitive information that helped traffickers evade law enforcement.
The investigation uncovered that Carvajal accepted millions of dollars in bribes from drug traffickers. In exchange, he not only provided protection but also authorized extreme violence including kidnappings and murder to ensure the continued operation of trafficking networks. His guilty plea encompasses four counts that each carry substantial prison terms, with potential sentences ranging from a minimum of 20 years to life imprisonment. This case exemplifies how corrupt officials can facilitate international criminal enterprises that directly harm American communities.
International Cooperation Leads to Justice
Carvajal’s path to justice involved significant international cooperation. After being indicted in the United States, he fled to Spain where he remained until his extradition in July 2023. The case represents a coordinated effort by multiple U.S. and international law enforcement agencies as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation. His guilty plea not only acknowledges personal criminal responsibility but potentially provides investigators with valuable intelligence about other high-ranking officials involved in narcotrafficking operations throughout Latin America.
“Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios exploited his position as the director of Venezuela’s military intelligence and abandoned his responsibility to the people of Venezuela in order to intentionally cause harm to the United States,” said Robert Murphy, DEA Acting Administration.
The Carvajal case underscores President Trump’s commitment to combating international drug trafficking networks that target American citizens. His administration has consistently prioritized dismantling these criminal enterprises and holding accountable those who facilitate the flow of deadly narcotics into our communities. “Carvajal’s confession serves as a warning to other corrupt officials that the United States will pursue justice regardless of borders or the political connections of those involved in drug trafficking operations,” stated President Trump.
