Federal grand jurors charge that Maduro’s conduct evolved alongside his rise to power. As a member of Venezuela’s National Assembly, he is accused of moving cocaine under the protection of law enforcement. As foreign minister, he allegedly sold Venezuelan diplomatic passports to drug traffickers and used diplomatic cover to move drug proceeds by private aircraft. After assuming the presidency, prosecutors say the operation expanded, with Venezuela becoming a central hub for maritime shipments, clandestine airstrips, and containerized cargo moving cocaine north through Central America and Mexico.
The indictment does not stop at drug trafficking. Count One charges Maduro with narco-terrorism conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. § 960a, alleging that he knowingly conspired to distribute cocaine while providing financial and material support to multiple designated foreign terrorist organizations. Those groups include the FARC and its successor factions, the ELN, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Zetas (CDN), and Tren de Aragua. Prosecutors allege Maduro knew these organizations engaged in terrorism and that cocaine proceeds directly benefited their operations.
