Former Venezuelan Spy Chief ‘El Pollo’ Pleads Guilty to US Narco-Terrorism Charges

Former Venezuelan military intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal Barrios pleaded guilty in New York to conspiracy to import cocaine and narco-terrorism linked to FARC, avoiding a scheduled trial that could have exposed alleged involvement of Venezuelan leaders in the Cartel de los Soles. The report outlines accusations that Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro were connected to the cartel’s operations, Carvajal’s extradition from Spain, and his potential life sentence, while noting he may still seek a reduced term through cooperation with U.S. authorities.