A major victory for international justice! Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, the former director of Venezuela's military intelligence, has pleaded guilty to serious charges, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. This marks a significant step in holding accountable those who exploit their power for criminal gain and intentionally harm other nations.
Carvajal Barrios, 65, was a high-ranking official in Venezuela, serving as the director of the Direccion de Inteligencia Militar (DIM), Venezuela's military intelligence agency, between 2004-2011 and again in 2013. However, instead of protecting his country, he allegedly used his position to lead and manage the "Cartel de Los Soles" (Cartel of the Suns).
What is the "Cartel de Los Soles"?
The "Cartel of the Suns" is a Venezuelan organization allegedly comprised of high-ranking members of the Venezuelan armed forces who are involved in international drug trafficking. The name comes from the "sun" insignia worn on the uniforms of Venezuelan generals. This cartel not only aimed to enrich its members but also sought to flood the United States with massive amounts of cocaine, causing widespread harm and addiction.
A Dangerous Partnership
To achieve their goals, Carvajal Barrios and the Cartel de Los Soles partnered with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), a violent terrorist organization based in Colombia. The FARC was a major producer and distributor of cocaine, and this alliance allowed for large-scale drug shipments to the United States. Carvajal Barrios even provided the FARC with heavily-armed security for drug shipments and supplied them with automatic weapons and explosives, furthering their drug trafficking and terrorist activities.
Examples of His Crimes:
- In 2006, Carvajal Barrios helped coordinate a staggering 5.6-ton cocaine shipment from Venezuela on a plane with a U.S. registration number. This massive shipment was seized by Mexican authorities upon arrival.
- He accepted millions of dollars from drug traffickers.
- He was involved in violence, including kidnappings and murder, to facilitate cocaine trafficking and protect his co-conspirators.
Justice Being Served
This guilty plea comes after years of Carvajal Barrios trying to evade law enforcement. As DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy stated, he will now likely spend the rest of his life in federal prison. One of his co-defendants, Cliver Antonio Alcala Cordones, was already sentenced to 260 months (over 21 years) in prison in April 2024 for providing material support to the FARC.
Carvajal Barrios pleaded guilty to four counts, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, narcotics importation conspiracy, possession of firearms (including machineguns and destructive devices), and conspiracy to possess firearms. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29, 2025.
This case serves as a powerful reminder that law enforcement agencies like the DEA will relentlessly pursue anyone who threatens the safety and security of the United States through violence, drugs, and intimidation, regardless of their position or power.
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