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The federal trial against Nicolás Maduro in the United States, one of the most sensitive and complex proceedings brought against a head of state in recent decades, could add a decisive element: the testimony of a man who operated for years at the very heart of Chavismo's power.
It is about Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, known as “El Pollo”, former head of Venezuelan military intelligence, who after pleading guilty in 2025 to charges of drug trafficking and narcoterrorism, is now trying to reestablish himself as a collaborator with U.S. justice.
According to CNN, “the man who could testify against the ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro is known as 'el Pollo', a figure whose significance does not stem from his physical appearance —1.60 meters tall, 59 kilograms, bald— but from the privileged access he had for years to the power structures of chavismo.”
The letter that can change the process
The possible shift in his role within the case was revealed in a letter sent to President Donald Trump in December 2025, a copy of which was obtained by CNN and initially published by The Dallas Express.
In that document, Carvajal presents himself not only as a remorseful former official but also as someone willing to actively collaborate with U.S. authorities. “I write to atone, by telling the whole truth, so that the United States can protect itself from the dangers I witnessed for so many years,” he stated.
The letter contains serious accusations.
The former general claims that the Maduro government has allegedly promoted a deliberate strategy to use drug trafficking as a tool against the United States.
“The drugs that arrived in their cities through new routes were not accidents of corruption nor solely the work of independent traffickers (...) they were deliberate policies coordinated by the Venezuelan regime against the United States”, he wrote.
In addition, he highlighted the existence of an alleged criminal network organized from power, known as the Cartel de los Soles, and stated that chavismo may have collaborated with the transnational gang Tren de Aragua to “flood the United States with criminals, drugs, and spies.”
These claims largely align with the charges Maduro faces in federal courts, where he is accused of drug terrorism, conspiracy to introduce cocaine into U.S. territory, and other related offenses.
Signs of an ongoing negotiation
Although neither the Department of Justice nor Carvajal's defense has officially confirmed a cooperation agreement, several elements point in that direction.
One of the most significant is the indefinite postponement of his sentencing hearing. Attorney Renato Stabile, an expert in federal drug trafficking cases, explained that it would be “extremely unusual” for the process to advance if the defendant were cooperating with the prosecution.
In the same vein, it has drawn attention that Carvajal is currently not listed in the Federal Bureau of Prisons database, despite still being in federal custody, which some interpret as another possible sign of negotiations.
This is compounded by the silence of both his legal team and U.S. authorities, who have refrained from confirming or denying the existence of an agreement.
From a key figure of Chavismo to an internal enemy
The potential transformation of Carvajal into a star witness is particularly significant due to his background within the Venezuelan power structure.
For years, he was one of Hugo Chávez's most trusted men. From the Military Counterintelligence Directorate (DGCIM), an agency criticized for allegations of torture and repression, he had access to sensitive information regarding security operations, intelligence, and alleged illicit networks.
His break with chavismo occurred in 2019 when he publicly announced his support for opposition leader Juan Guaidó and left the country. That defection was interpreted in Washington as a symbolic blow to the regime.
From exile, Carvajal intensified his denunciations. In interviews and publications, he claimed that Maduro's inner circle was involved in drug trafficking and terrorism, accusations that the Venezuelan government has systematically rejected.
Pursued, hidden, and finally extradited
However, his role as a whistleblower did not shield him from U.S. justice. Since 2008, he had been under Washington's radar, which sanctioned him for "materially assisting the drug trafficking activities" of the FARC.
In 2019, the Department of Justice filed charges against him, accusing him of attempting to smuggle 5.6 tons of cocaine into the United States and of supplying weapons and explosives to the Colombian guerrilla.
During his stay in Spain, he lived hidden for several years, even undergoing plastic surgery to change his appearance. He was ultimately arrested and extradited to the United States in 2023, where he has remained in prison since then.
The trial against Maduro and the political context
The case against Nicolás Maduro is set against a backdrop of high geopolitical tension.
The Venezuelan leader was captured on January 3, 2026, in Caracas during a U.S. military operation and was taken to New York, where he remains detained along with his wife, Cilia Flores.
Both have pleaded not guilty to charges including narcoterrorism, money laundering, and conspiracy to import cocaine, offenses that could result in life imprisonment.
From the White House, the narrative has been clear. A spokesperson stated that "Nicolás Maduro orchestrated many crimes against the United States, including sending drugs and terrorists to our country to kill Americans", and added that he is now "waiting for justice to be served in the Southern District of New York."
The process, however, could extend for one or two years before reaching trial, given its complexity and the volume of evidence.
A testimony that could redefine the case
In this scenario, Carvajal's potential cooperation takes on a crucial dimension. He is not just any witness, but someone who could provide insider information about the power structure, strategic decisions, and alleged illicit operations of the regime.
His own stance is reflected in the letter sent to Trump: “I fully support President Trump’s policy towards Venezuela because it is a measure of self-defense and is grounded in truth (…) I am willing to provide additional details on these matters to the United States government.”
Nonetheless, key questions remain. It is unclear whether the U.S. president ever read the letter, or if the Department of Justice has formalized any agreement with the former general.
What seems clear is that if Carvajal takes the stand, his testimony could become one of the most pivotal pieces of the trial against Maduro, offering an insider's perspective that the prosecution has been trying to prove in court for years.
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