Former Venezuelan Intelligence Chief Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking in US

Hugo "Pollo" Carvajal, the former director of Venezuelan military intelligence, has pleaded guilty to charges of drug trafficking and narcoterrorism in a US federal court, as reported by the Justice Department. Carvajal, who held key intelligence positions under both former President Hugo Chávez and current President Nicolás Maduro, was extradited from Spain in 2023 to face these charges.According to the Justice Department's statement, Carvajal participated in violent acts, including kidnappings and murders, to facilitate cocaine trafficking for the FARC guerrilla group. The acting director of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicated that Carvajal is likely to spend the rest of his life in a federal prison.The Miami Herald reported that Carvajal's guilty plea is part of an agreement that could lead to a reduced sentence if he cooperates with US security forces. This cooperation might involve providing documents and testimonies that implicate current President Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials in a range of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, electoral fraud, espionage operations, and the arming of gangs. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing legal actions against alleged corruption and illicit activities within the Venezuelan government.