US: Ex-Venezuelan general pleads guilty to drug trafficking – DW – 06/26/2025
Hugo Carvajal was extradited to the US from Spain in 2023. The former spy chief pleaded guilty to narcoterrorism, weapons, and drug trafficking charges.
A former head of Venezuela's military intelligence pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and narcoterrorism charges a week before his trial was set to begin in a United States federal court.
Hugo Carvajal — a close aide of the country's late President Hugo Chavez — on Wednesday pleaded guilty to four criminal counts, including narcoterrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine and weapons charges.
The indictment accused the retired major general of leading a cartel composed of senior Venezuelan military officers that attempted to "flood" the US with cocaine in collusion with leftist guerrillas from neighboring Colombia.
The 65-year-old faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Carvajal's sentencing is slated for October.
Nicknamed "El Pollo," Spanish for "the chicken," Carvajal advised Chavez for over a decade and was considered one of the most powerful figures of the socialist leader's rule.
The spymaster later broke with current President Nicolas Maduro, Chavez's chosen successor, to support the US-backed political opposition.
In 2023, Carvajal was extradited from Spain after being on the run from US law enforcement for more than 10 years.
"The deeply troubling reality is that there are powerful foreign government officials who conspire to flood the United States with drugs that kill and debilitate," Jay Clayton, the interim US attorney in Manhattan, said in a statement on Wednesday.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
an hour ago
- DW
Vietnam braces for end of US tariff pause – DW – 06/26/2025
A pause on Washington's 46% tariffs on Vietnamese imports is set to expire next month. In Hanoi, businesses have been working to diversify and cushion the impact of the US measures. Businesses in Vietnam's capital are suffering from declining sales after the United States introduced trade tariffs on the country earlier this year. Hanoi's Old Quarter is replete with stores selling designer goods, brand clothing and electronics from rustic French colonial buildings that still form the fabric of the area. Signs proclaiming that goods are "Made in Vietnam" are everywhere — a concept locals insist on emphasizing to passers-by, hoping for sales from foot traffic made up largely of tourists and backpackers. Vietnam is an attractive prospect for US investors because of its young workforce and low labor costs. However, that has been dampened by Washington's 46% tariff rate, which is due to come into effect in July. Hanoi is in negotiations with Washington for a reduction. On Wednesday, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said he expected a trade deal with the US ahead of the scheduled 46% tariffs. "I hope that you will see that the result will come earlier than two weeks," Chinh said. "Vietnam and the US share a deep understanding on tariffs ... I hope that all the positive things will come for us." In the meantime, a baseline tariff of 10% has been in place since April. Apple, Samsung and Nike have chosen Vietnam as key manufacturing locations. The country exported goods worth $142 million to the US last year, accounting for about 30% of its total economic output. Vietnam has one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, with a projected GDP growth of 6.8% by the end of 2025, according to a report by the World Bank in March. The report attributed the estimated growth to Vietnam rebounding in industries such as manufacturing exports, tourism and foreign direct investment. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But those projections may not meet expectations in the absence of a trade deal or tariff relief. "Without tariff relief, Vietnam will fail to hit their ambitious growth targets; the US market is simply too important for them," Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, told DW. "Even if they can reduce that 46% tariff, the Trump administration has imposed a baseline 10% tariff on all countries." US President Donald Trump has hit Hanoi with high tariffs partly due to concerns that China is using Vietnam as a transshipment point to work around its own high tariffs imposed by Washington. Hanoi has intensified efforts to curb illegal transshipment, predominantly involving goods from China. Eric Nguyen, CEO of Grando Premium Aluminium Vietnam, which produces and exports to international markets worldwide, told DW that the US government suspects that Vietnam is using products from China. "But the fact is that Grando, we do not use Chinese material, [everything is] 100% made in Vietnam," Nguyen said, adding that the tariffs have forced their operations to rely on other markets worldwide. "We seek to expand our export market to other markets, such as Europe, Japan, and Korea, so that we do not depend 100% to the US market and to be less vulnerable to any change from the US government," he added. Nguyen Tuong Phan, general manager of Aviation Solution Services, a cargo freight company in Hanoi, told DW that since the tariffs were introduced, cargo freight companies in China have been trying to send their cargo to the US via Vietnam in order to evade the higher rates. "Now a lot of charter flight from freight forwarders are coming from China, are now coming to Vietnam. The capacity to fly to the US increase from Vietnam has increased by, let's say, 80%,' he said. Vietnam and China hold close relations both economically and politically. Beijing is Hanoi's largest trading partner and both countries share similar political ideologies and are governed by their respective Communist parties. Hanh Nguyen, a research fellow at the Yokosuka Council on Asia Pacific Studies (YCAPS), said if Vietnam does decide to reduce its dealings with China, it will hurt the Vietnamese economy either way. "Reducing or even cutting off input materials and components from China will cause significant damage to Vietnam's economy," she told DW. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video She noted that Vietnam's manufacturing sector — particularly electronics and textiles — is "dependent on imported raw materials from regional supply chains based in China." "If Vietnam complies with US demands, it will also hurt Vietnam's ties with China, which will perceive Vietnam's compliance as joining the US-led anti-China coalition," Hanh added. Vietnam is a huge manufacturing hub for international clothing brands, but Washington has highlighted how counterfeit products have also contributed to their concerns over trade. In January, a report from the US Trade Representative flagged Saigon Square shopping mall as a hotspot for the sale of forged fashion items from major brands. Hanh said Vietnam has taken several measures to cater to Washington's concerns, that will hopefully reduce the high tariffs imposed on them. "[Vietnam has been] stepping up the crackdown on transshipment issues and has recently launched a new campaign to crack down on counterfeit products and digital piracy," he said, adding that the question now is: what will Vietnam's do next? "There is not a country in the world that has been more proactive than Vietnam in negotiating tariff relief with the Trump administration. One of the predicaments for the Vietnamese right now, is how much to negotiate and give away." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
DW
2 hours ago
- DW
Germany defends end to funding Mediterranean migrant rescues – DW – 06/26/2025
Germany's foreign minister has defended a decision to cut sea rescue funding in the Mediterranean. The move ends support for NGOs there and has sparked warnings of a worsening humanitarian crisis. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday defended a decision by the conservative-led government to stop financial support for civilian sea rescue organizations operating in the Mediterranean Sea. The decision has drawn criticism from the opposition Green party, who warned it could worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis. Speaking at a news conference in Canada, Wadephul said the pulling of funding had been "the right decision to make." "Germany remains committed to humanity and always will be," Wadephul said. "But I don't believe it is the foreign office's job to use funds for this type of sea rescue," he added. Wadephul's ministry on Wednesday said no money had been earmarked for migrant rescue groups in Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil's new budget plans. The German Foreign Ministry under the previous coalition, led by Green Party minister Annalena Baerbock, had provided significant financial support to NGOs involved in rescuing migrants attempting to reach Europe from Africa. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video That funding drew criticism from the center-right Christian Democrats of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office in May promising to toughen up immigration policy. The policy also led to tensions with Italy, as many of the rescued migrants were brought ashore there. According to a ministry source, the German government gave €2 million ($2.3 million) last year to organizations including SOS Humanity, Sea Eye and SOS Mediterranee to support rescue operations for migrants in distress. Gorden Isler, chairman of the sea rescue NGO Sea-Eye, called the shift in policy a "catastrophic signal." "Now we might have to remain in port despite emergencies at sea," he said. The Greens sharply criticized the decision. "This move will predictably worsen the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean and cause human suffering," said Green parliamentary group leader Britta Hasselmann on Wednesday.
DW
4 hours ago
- DW
EU summit: Leaders to address wars, US tariffs, migration – DW – 06/26/2025
Leaders of the European Union are gathering in Brussels for the EU summit on Thursday. They are set to discuss conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the Trump administration tariffs. DW has the Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the need to strike a trade deal with the Trump administation as he arrived for his first EU summit in Brussels since taking office in May. "Europe is facing crucial weeks and months," Merz said. "I support the European Commission in all its endeavours to reach a trade agreement with the US quickly." US President Donald Trump initially imposed high tariffs on many countries, including EU member states, before temporatily suspending the measures. But the suspensions ends on July 9. Meanwhile, Merz also underlined the imporance of the EU-Mercosur trade deal with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The EU summit will kick off at 11 am CET. Working sessions of the European Council are scheduled throughout the day. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to hold talks with the European leaders through video conference later in the afternoon. The war in Ukraine is set to remain a pressing concern for the EU, as members discuss an 18th round of sanctions against Russia. Talks will also be held on whether a price cap on Russian oil needs to be maintained — steps that some nations have opposed as it could cause energy prices to rise. Meanwhile, leaders are expected to inform the European Commission if they want a quick trade deal with Washington, which would mean the US getting better terms, or to escalate the dispute in hopes of something better. US President Donald Trump has given a deadline of July 9 for a deal. Officials and diplomats have hinted at a quick deal being the preferable option for most. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video European leaders will also address the wars in the Middle East amid concerns about the fallout from the escalation that risks the stability of the region. The humanitarian situation in Gaza will be a key focus. The EU is also making the push to bring back negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. European defense and security, migration and internal security will also be on the docket for discussion. "We will address several issues that must be tackled together to advance our common ambitions: to build a more competitive, safer and more autonomous Europe for our citizens, and to ensure that the European Union can be an effective, predictable and reliable global actor," Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, said in a statement. Leaders of the European Union's 27 member states are meeting in Brussels on Thursday for a one-day summit. Discussions on imposing stricter sanctions on Russia and ways to resolve the US tariffs conflict rank high on the agenda. Most heads of state and government will go into the European talks straight from a NATO summit, where they pledged a landmark defense spending boost, brushing aside some of their differences with US President Donald Trump. Stay tuned as we get you the latest news and analyses from the EU summit.
