The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday announced federal charges against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Moros and 14 other high-ranking government officials, accusing them of “narco-terrorism, corruption, drug trafficking and other criminal charges.” The U.S. State Department, through its Narcotics Rewards Program, is offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and/or conviction.
Charges: Conspiracy with FARC to Flood U.S. with Cocaine
According to the indictment, Maduro and several co-conspirators have acted as leaders of the Cártel de Los Soles since at least 1999, colluding with Colombia’s largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), to import tons of cocaine into the United States. U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr stated: “For more than 20 years, Maduro and a number of high-ranking colleagues allegedly conspired with the FARC, causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities.” Those charged include Vice President for the Economy Tareck El Aissami, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, and Chief Supreme Court Justice Maikel Moreno.
Geoffrey S. Berman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, affirmed that “Maduro very deliberately deployed cocaine as a weapon” and that the government will not allow corrupt Venezuelan officials to use the U.S. banking system to launder illicit proceeds. U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan noted that over the past decade, corrupt officials have systematically looted Venezuela of billions of dollars, often using South Florida banks and real estate to conceal illegal activity.
Cryptocurrency Superintendent Indicted for Sanctions Evasion
A separate indictment unsealed Thursday charges Joselit Ramirez Camacho, 33, head of Venezuela’s National Superintendency of Cryptocurrency (Sunacrip), with crimes related to evading sanctions. From February 2017 to March 2019, Camacho allegedly worked with U.S. persons and U.S.-based entities to provide private flight services for Maduro’s 2018 presidential campaign, violating sanctions. Sunacrip regulates cryptocurrencies including the state-backed petro.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) official Alysa D. Erichs commented: “Today’s announcement highlights HSI’s global reach and commitment to aggressively identify, target and investigate individuals who violate U.S. laws, exploit financial systems, and hide behind cryptocurrency to further their illicit criminal activity.”
Rewards and Penalties: Up to Life in Prison
The State Department offers up to $15 million for Maduro, up to $10 million for five other top officials including Tareck El Aissami, and up to $5 million for FARC member Luciano Marín Arango. Maduro faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy (minimum 20 years), cocaine importation conspiracy (minimum 10 years), and use of machine guns during drug trafficking (minimum 30 years). All charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.