05.01.2026 22:10
Hugo Carvajal, the former intelligence chief of Venezuela, is preparing to be a "key witness" in the case against Nicolás Maduro. According to the New York Post, Carvajal, who severed ties with the regime in 2019, cooperating with federal prosecutors could turn the tide of the case against Maduro. Described as the regime's black box, Carvajal has been counting the days in prison in the U.S. since 2023.
In the historic case where Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is being tried on charges of drug trafficking and terrorism, it is claimed that former intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal, nicknamed "El Pollo" (The Chicken), will take the stand as a "key witness." Experts indicate that Carvajal's confessions could pave the way for a life sentence for Maduro.
"IF EL POLLO SPEAKS, THE BALANCE WILL CHANGE"
Hugo Carvajal, who was at the head of Venezuela's intelligence service for many years and was familiar with all the dark points of the regime, admitted to charges of drug terrorism and arms trafficking in June. It has been reported that Carvajal, who began supporting the opposition after parting ways with Maduro in 2019, is ready to cooperate with federal authorities in the hearing expected to take place next month.
PROSECUTORS HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR MONTHS
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani, speaking to the New York Post, stated that Carvajal fits the profile of an "ideal witness," commenting: "The penalties in drug trafficking cases are very high. Therefore, it is inevitable for defendants to cooperate to receive a sentence reduction. If Carvajal takes the stand and tells the truth, he will receive a significant reduction in his sentence."
The legendary prosecutor Dick Gregorie, who handled the case against Panama's leader Manuel Noriega in 1988, suggested that Carvajal may have reached an agreement with the prosecution months in advance and has been preparing for this testimony for weeks.
In December, Carvajal wrote a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, claiming that the Maduro government operates as a "narcoterrorist organization" and stated that he was ready to cooperate with U.S. authorities.
WHO IS EL POLLO?
Carvajal served as the director of the Military Counterintelligence Directorate (DGCIM) during the Hugo Chavez era from 2004 to 2011. He later held various positions, including being a member of the National Assembly.
The U.S. prepared an indictment against Carvajal in 2011 on charges of drug trafficking, accusing him of coordinating cocaine shipments from Venezuela to Mexico for distribution in the U.S.
According to prosecutors, Carvajal used his position to "protect drug traffickers and facilitate their operations."
Once seen as a key figure in Venezuela's security apparatus for years, Carvajal was known as a loyalist to the government. However, he severed ties with the regime in 2019 and supported opposition leader Juan Guaido's claim to the interim presidency.
At the request of the U.S., Carvajal was arrested in Madrid in 2019. However, after the Spanish court initially blocked the extradition order, Carvajal was released and went into hiding for two years. He was re-arrested in 2021 and extradited to the U.S. in 2023. He accepted all charges in 2025.
Carvajal faces charges such as "planning to import cocaine" and particularly "providing material support to a foreign militant group like FARC."