A sealed superseding indictment filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has been unsealed, laying out extensive allegations against Venezuelan officials including President Nicolas Maduro, charging them with long‑running narcotics trafficking, corruption and narco‑terrorism conspiracies.
The court document paints a picture of a corrupt network that allegedly abused positions of power to facilitate the movement of vast quantities of cocaine to the United States over decades.
Background to the indictment
According to the indictment, “For over 25 years, leaders of Venezuela have abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once‑legitimate institutions to import tons of cocaine into the United States.” It names Maduro at the “forefront” of this corruption and asserts that he and his co‑defendants used their official authority to protect and promote illegal drug trafficking.
Maduro has always denied that he was personally involved in drug smuggling and has accused the US of intimidation.
Narcotics trafficking conspiracy
The unsealed indictment charges that he and others partnered with narco‑terrorist organisations and criminal networks to distribute cocaine. It alleges the defendants “conspired, confederated, and agreed together … to violate Title 21, United States Code”, including provisions relating to the distribution of large quantities of controlled substances destined for the United States.
The document details that corrupt Venezuelan officials and their partners facilitated the transport of cocaine through various trans‑shipment points in the Caribbean and Central America. It explains the defendants “provided law enforcement cover and logistical support for the transport of cocaine through Venezuela”, often under diplomatic or official protection.
Narco‑terrorism and violent partners
The indictment further describes links between the Venezuelan regime and internationally recognised violent groups. It states that at various times since about 1999, the defendants “have partnered with narco‑terrorists from the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), … the Zetas, and Tren de Aragua (‘TdA’)”, illustrating alleged collaboration with organisations associated with significant drug production and violence.
Corruption and abuse of official power
The court filing also paints a picture of deep political corruption. It asserts that Maduro and co‑accused used their positions, including diplomatic and governmental roles, to shield illegal activity. For example, it alleges agents “sold Venezuelan diplomatic passports to individuals … that … were drug traffickers in order to assist traffickers seeking to move drug proceeds”.
The indictment names several individuals in addition to Maduro, including Minister of the Interior, Justice and Peace Diosdado Cabello Rondón, former Minister of the Interior and Justice Ramon Rodriguez Chacin, Maduro’s wife and first lady of Venezuela Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro, Maduro’s son and member of Venezuela’s National Assembly Nicolas Ernesto Maduro and Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores who is associated with the organisation Tren de Aragua.
Connections to foreign organisations
The document outlines that the defendants’ alleged conspiracies extended beyond Venezuela. By working with groups such as the FARC and Mexican cartels, Venezuelan officials are said to have supported broader trafficking networks, helping to move cocaine northward toward the United States.
Rigged elections?
The document describes Maduro’s “now sits on top a corrupt, illegitimate government that for decades, has leveraged government power to protect and promote illegal activity, including drug trafficking”. It states that Nicolás Maduro in 2018 “declared victory in a disputed and internationally condemned presidential election in Venezuela”. In “2024, Venezuela held another presidential election that was again widely criticised by the international community” with Maduro declaring himself the winner despite widespread condemnation.
