Retired Maj. Gen. Hugo Carvajal, a former Venezuelan intelligence chief and close advisor to the late President Hugo Chávez, pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in a Manhattan federal court on Thursday. Carvajal, 63, is accused of leveraging his position to coordinate the shipment of over six tons of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico in 2006.
During his brief court appearance, Carvajal, dressed in a white shirt and beige pants, confirmed his understanding of his rights and the interpreter's voice through his earphones. He consented to remain in custody while his legal team prepares a bail application. Prosecutors are advocating for his continued detention.
Carvajal's arrival in the United States on Wednesday follows a protracted extradition process from Spain, where he was initially apprehended in 2019. He evaded authorities for two years after being granted bail but was subsequently recaptured in 2021. He faces charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, firearms violations, and drug trafficking. If found guilty on all counts, he faces a minimum sentence of 30 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams condemned Carvajal's alleged abuse of power during his tenure as director of Venezuela's military intelligence agency from 2004 to 2011, accusing him of using his position to "import poison" into the United States. The DEA Administrator, Anne Milgram, echoed these sentiments, stating that Carvajal exploited his position for personal enrichment.
Carvajal's defense attorney, Zachary Margulis, vehemently asserted his client's innocence outside the courthouse. He challenged the prosecution's case, claiming a lack of concrete evidence such as electronic communications, wiretaps, or financial records demonstrating unexplained wealth. Margulis further contended that the accusations stem from unreliable testimonies of drug traffickers and disgruntled former Venezuelan officials harboring animosity towards Carvajal. He expressed confidence that Carvajal would be exonerated by an impartial American jury.
