Presidency El Salvador, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The U.S. Department of Justice filed formal charges in 2020 (during Donald Trump's first term) against Nicolás Maduro Moros, leader of Venezuela, and other senior officials of his regime, accusing them of leading a narcoterrorism operation alongside the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to smuggle tons of cocaine into the United States.
In January 2025, the US administration had placed a $1.4T25 billion bounty on Nicolás Maduro. On August 7, Pam Bondi announced that the figure would increase to $1.4T50 billion.
Maduro and the Cartel of the Suns: a state-run drug trafficking network
According to federal prosecutors, since 1999, Maduro and his closest allies acted as leaders of the Cartel of the Suns, a criminal organization comprised of high-ranking Venezuelan military officers. The name comes from the "suns" that appear on these officers' uniforms.
The prosecution alleges that the cartel not only operated with the goal of enriching itself and gaining power, but also with the express purpose of "flooding" the United States with cocaine, thereby weakening American society.
Cocaine as a weapon: alliance with the FARC
The indictment alleges that Maduro and other officials provided political and military protection to the FARC, facilitating the shipment of drugs from Venezuela to the U.S. by sea and air. It is even alleged that Maduro personally negotiated multi-ton shipments of cocaine produced by the FARC.
“Maduro used cocaine as a weapon to harm the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman of the Southern District of New York.
Senior officials involved
The charges also extend to:
- Diosdado Cabello Rondón – President of the National Constituent Assembly.
- Hugo “El Pollo” Carvajal – Former director of military intelligence.
- Clíver Alcalá Cordones – Former general of the Venezuelan armed forces.
- Vladimir Padrino López – Minister of Defense.
- Maikel Moreno Pérez – President of the Supreme Court of Justice.
- Tareck El Aissami – Former Vice President of the Economy and sanctioned by the US.
- Joselit Ramírez Camacho – Superintendent of Cryptocurrencies (SUNACRIP).
- FARC leaders such as Ivan Marquez and Jesus Santrich.
Money laundering, bribery and corruption
In addition to drug trafficking, the officials face charges of money laundering, institutional corruption, and using the U.S. financial system to conceal illicit funds. According to the investigation:
- Maikel Moreno He allegedly received millions of dollars in bribes, some of which were used for luxury goods in Florida.
- Godfather Lopez would have allowed drug trafficking flights in exchange for bribes.
- Several officials used shell companies, cryptocurrencies, and banks in the U.S. to move illegal money.
Charges filed and penalties
All defendants face multiple charges, including:
- Conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism (minimum sentence: 20 years, maximum: life imprisonment).
- Conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S.
- Use and possession of weapons of war.
- Money laundering and sanctions evasion.
Rewards for capture
The U.S. Department of State offers the following rewards:
- Up to $50 million for information leading to the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
- Up to $10 million for Diosdado Cabello, Hugo Carvajal and Clíver Alcalá.
- Up to $5 million for implicated FARC leaders.
US message to Nicolás Maduro and corrupt officials
"These charges expose the devastating corruption of the Maduro regime," he said. Uttam Dhillon, acting administrator of the DEA.
“No one is above the law. No matter their position or where in the world they hide,” added Alysa D. Erichs of Homeland Security (HSI).
“He is one of the largest drug traffickers in the world and a direct threat to our national security,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in her latest X post.
According to Bondi, Maduro has used his power to facilitate illegal drug operations in collaboration with Latin American cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
And now what?
The case is pending in various U.S. federal courts, primarily in New York, Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Washington, D.C. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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