In a shocking courtroom twist that feels like something out of a political thriller, Venezuela’s former military intelligence chief has pleaded guilty in a massive U.S. drug trafficking case. The man once trusted with the country’s deepest secrets has now confessed to helping move tons of cocaine—raising serious questions about how high corruption may have gone in the Venezuelan government.
The former top spy, Hugo Carvajal, nicknamed “El Pollo” (The Chicken), was once one of the most powerful men in Venezuela. For years, he operated inside the inner circles of late President Hugo Chávez and held major influence within the government. But now, in a New York federal court, Carvajal admitted that he was not just watching the nation’s enemies—he was secretly working with drug traffickers behind the scenes.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Carvajal used his powerful military role to protect drug shipments, work with Colombian rebel group FARC, and allow tons of cocaine to enter the U.S. illegally. He played a key role in a network that combined politics, military, and organized crime—a dark alliance that investigators say endangered countless lives.
His guilty plea came after a long legal battle. He was arrested in Spain in 2019 and fought extradition for years before finally being sent to the U.S. in 2023. His decision to plead guilty instead of going to trial suggests he may now be cooperating with American authorities—possibly to expose other powerful figures involved in the international drug trade.
This case is not just about one man. Experts say Carvajal’s confession could open the door to more arrests, investigations, and revelations. It could also confirm what many Venezuelans have suspected for years—that top government officials were deeply tied to crime networks while the country suffered under poverty, violence, and economic collapse.
Anti-corruption groups and human rights organizations have welcomed the news, calling it a step toward international justice. “This case proves that even the most powerful can be held accountable,” one U.S. official said. “Carvajal’s confession is just the beginning.”
While Carvajal now awaits sentencing, political watchers across Latin America and beyond are wondering: Who else will be exposed next?
