Key Takeaways
- A former Venezuelan three-star general and military intelligence chief, Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, may become the star witness in the federal criminal case against President Nicolas Maduro for drug trafficking and narcoterrorism.
- Carvajal has been tracked by the US Drug Enforcement Administration and Justice Department for nearly two decades for his role in overseeing tons of cocaine trafficked from Venezuela to the US and Europe.
- Carvajal pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in June 2025 and was sentenced to life in prison, but has since offered to cooperate with the US government in exchange for leniency.
- Carvajal’s testimony could be crucial in the case against Maduro, with former DEA agents comparing it to the testimony of Sammy "The Bull" Gravano against John Gotti.
- The Justice Department will have to weigh the potential benefits of using Carvajal as a witness against the potential risks of his testimony being flawed or compromised.
Introduction to the Case
The federal criminal case against President Nicolas Maduro for drug trafficking and narcoterrorism has taken a significant turn with the potential testimony of Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, a former Venezuelan three-star general and military intelligence chief. Carvajal, nicknamed "El Pollo" or "The Chicken," has been tracked by the US Drug Enforcement Administration and Justice Department for nearly two decades for his role in overseeing tons of cocaine trafficked from Venezuela to the US and Europe. The criminal network that Carvajal helped run, known as the Cartel de los Soles, was cited by the Trump administration as justification for the US raid that captured Maduro and his wife.
Carvajal’s Background and Role in the Cartel
Carvajal’s involvement in the Cartel de los Soles dates back to the era of former President Hugo Chavez, and he was a key figure in the network’s operations under both Chavez and Maduro. The cartel was known for its coordination with Colombian guerrilla groups, Cuban operatives, and even the US-designated terrorist group Hezbollah. Carvajal’s role in the cartel was that of a "doer," handling meetings and operations between the Cartel de los Soles and other cartels involved in cocaine and weapons trafficking.
Carvajal’s Arrest and Extradition
Carvajal was arrested in Spain in 2021 and extradited to the US on a 2014 arrest warrant for drug trafficking. He initially pleaded not guilty in Manhattan federal court to narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and related weapons charges. However, in June 2025, he voluntarily changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Carvajal’s plea agreement did not include an agreement to cooperate with prosecutors, but he has since offered to provide evidence and testimony in exchange for leniency.
Carvajal’s Letter to President Trump
In a three-page letter dated December 2, Carvajal offered to provide evidence about the Venezuelan government’s involvement in drug trafficking and narcoterrorism. He claimed that the Venezuelan regime had deliberately coordinated with other cartels to traffic cocaine into the US and Europe, and that he had personally witnessed the regime’s corruption and criminal activity. Carvajal also claimed to have information about other alleged plots and conspiracies, including the involvement of Russian intelligence and US diplomats and CIA officers in Venezuelan affairs.
Potential Risks and Benefits of Carvajal’s Testimony
The Justice Department will have to weigh the potential benefits of using Carvajal as a witness against the potential risks of his testimony being flawed or compromised. Former DEA agents have compared Carvajal’s potential testimony to that of Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, who provided crucial testimony against John Gotti. However, Carvajal’s lawyer will have to persuade prosecutors that his client can provide compelling testimony that outweighs the potential risks of his complicity in the underlying activity.
Carvajal’s Claims about Voting Machine Fraud
In his letter, Carvajal also claimed to have information about the potential for voting machine fraud in US elections. He alleged that the Smartmatic voting technology company could be manipulated to change the outcome of elections with the help of the Venezuelan government. Carvajal claimed to have oversaw Smartmatic operations in Venezuela and that it was used as a tool to help keep the regime in power. However, these claims have been vehemently denied by Smartmatic, and the company has filed a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News for airing reports that made similar unsubstantiated assertions.