A recently surfaced letter from former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo ‘Pollo’ Carvajal offers a detailed account of alleged criminal activity within the Maduro government, as the ex-official seeks to “expiate my sins” through full transparency with U.S. authorities [[1]]. Carvajal, who has pleaded guilty to narco-terrorism and weapons charges [[2]] and [[3]], alleges a long-standing conspiracy involving drug trafficking, support for criminal gangs, and even potential interference with U.S. infrastructure. The revelations come as the U.S. and Venezuela cautiously re-examine their relationship following years of strained ties.
In the English-language document, Carvajal states he is writing “to expiate my sins by telling the whole truth, so that the United States can protect itself from the dangers I witnessed for so many years.” This declaration accompanies his decision to plead guilty in a U.S. federal court following his extradition from Spain.
Details disclosed by The Dallas Express expand on previously reported information regarding the so-called ‘Cartel of the Suns,’ alleging that the plan to flood the United States with cocaine originated with Cuban advisors. According to Carvajal, the scheme also involved state support for criminal gangs like the ‘Tren de Aragua,’ which he claims “were armed and financed from the beginning” to safeguard the interests of the ruling socialist government.
Former Venezuelan General Hugo Armando Carvajal. Foto:Víctor Lerena / Efe
Carvajal also offers his assessment of U.S. policy toward Venezuela in the letter. He asserts, “The policies of President Trump against the criminal regime of Maduro are not only justified, but are necessary and proportional to the threat,” while also warning of contingency plans allegedly designed by the Chavista government to maintain political control. According to the former head of Venezuelan intelligence and counterintelligence, these plans remain operational even as the Nicolás Maduro government seeks avenues for engagement with Washington.
The retired officer describes the operations of the ‘Cartel of the Suns’ and its supporting alliances. “I was a personal witness to how the government of Hugo Chávez became a criminal organization that is now led by Nicolás Maduro, Diosdado Cabello and other high-ranking officials of the regime,” he states, adding that the use of drugs as a tool against the United States was supported by routes designed with Cuban advice and in collaboration with the FARC and ELN rebel groups.
According to his account, “the regime has provided weapons, passports and impunity to these terrorist organizations” to facilitate operations from Venezuelan territory.
Nicolás Maduro. Foto:EFE
Carvajal further details the role of Venezuelan criminal gangs. He claims, “I was present when decisions were made to organize and use criminal gangs throughout Venezuela as a weapon to protect the regime, including the group known as the ‘Tren de Aragua.’” He recounts that this strategy began during the time of Hugo Chávez and was later expanded by Nicolás Maduro, even extending to other countries. In this context, he asserts that “they took advantage of the opportunity to send these agents to the U.S.” when the Biden-Harris administration announced its migration policies.
The letter also addresses Russian influence. Carvajal recalls: “I was present when Russian intelligence arrived in Caracas to propose to Chávez the intervention of the submarine internet cables that connect most of South America and the Caribbean islands with the U.S.,” with the aim of gaining access to U.S. government communications. He also states that he warned about the risks of allowing a Russian listening post in La Orchila, but “was ignored.”
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The former intelligence chief also details Cuba’s role in the power structure in Venezuela. He assures in his letter that the Cubans “boasted of having sent thousands of spies for decades, some of them now career politicians,” and added that U.S. diplomats and CIA agents would have received payments to support the governments of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, with some remaining active, according to his claim.
Redacción Justicia
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