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Former Venezuelan Intelligence Chief Arrested in Aruba Former Venezuelan Intelligence Chief Arrested in Aruba
(about 1 month later)
POTOSÍ, Bolivia — Officials on the Caribbean resort island of Aruba said Thursday that they had arrested a former Venezuelan intelligence chief at the request of the American authorities, who have accused him of involvement in drug trafficking. POTOSÍ, Bolivia — Officials on the Caribbean resort island of Aruba said Thursday that they had arrested a former Venezuelan intelligence chief at the request of the American authorities, who have accused him of involvement in drug trafficking.
Hugo Carvajal, a former general, was appointed in January as his country’s consul general in Aruba. Mr. Carvajal was close to Venezuela’s longtime president, Hugo Chávez, who died last year.Hugo Carvajal, a former general, was appointed in January as his country’s consul general in Aruba. Mr. Carvajal was close to Venezuela’s longtime president, Hugo Chávez, who died last year.
In 2008, the United States Treasury Department said Mr. Carvajal had helped funnel arms to Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and had protected the group’s drug shipments from seizure by the Venezuelan authorities.In 2008, the United States Treasury Department said Mr. Carvajal had helped funnel arms to Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and had protected the group’s drug shipments from seizure by the Venezuelan authorities.
Mr. Chávez had a longstanding policy of helping the FARC. The Treasury Department also said that Mr. Carvajal had provided FARC members with Venezuelan identification documents, allowing them to travel to and from Venezuela.Mr. Chávez had a longstanding policy of helping the FARC. The Treasury Department also said that Mr. Carvajal had provided FARC members with Venezuelan identification documents, allowing them to travel to and from Venezuela.
The Venezuelan government issued an angry statement, calling Mr. Carvajal’s arrest illegal and arbitrary, and saying that it violated his diplomatic immunity. It demanded his immediate release. Speaking at a military parade in Maracaibo, Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro described the arrest as a kidnapping and offered Mr. Carvajal his support.The Venezuelan government issued an angry statement, calling Mr. Carvajal’s arrest illegal and arbitrary, and saying that it violated his diplomatic immunity. It demanded his immediate release. Speaking at a military parade in Maracaibo, Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro described the arrest as a kidnapping and offered Mr. Carvajal his support.
Aruba is less than 20 miles off the Venezuelan coast and is a favorite beach destination for wealthy Venezuelans, including many close to the government.Aruba is less than 20 miles off the Venezuelan coast and is a favorite beach destination for wealthy Venezuelans, including many close to the government.
A spokeswoman for Aruban prosecutors, Ann Angela, said that the authorities in the country had never formally accepted Mr. Carvajal’s appointment as consul general.A spokeswoman for Aruban prosecutors, Ann Angela, said that the authorities in the country had never formally accepted Mr. Carvajal’s appointment as consul general.
“We know that he has a diplomatic passport, but immunity comes with a function, and he was not accredited,” she said.“We know that he has a diplomatic passport, but immunity comes with a function, and he was not accredited,” she said.
She said that Mr. Carvajal was arrested on Wednesday at the request of the State Department, and that the United States had 60 days to seek his extradition.She said that Mr. Carvajal was arrested on Wednesday at the request of the State Department, and that the United States had 60 days to seek his extradition.
Several other Venezuelan officials and military officers have been accused of links to drug traffickers by the Treasury Department, often in connection with the FARC. Venezuelan officials have routinely rejected those accusations, and in some cases appointed the accused men to important government posts.Several other Venezuelan officials and military officers have been accused of links to drug traffickers by the Treasury Department, often in connection with the FARC. Venezuelan officials have routinely rejected those accusations, and in some cases appointed the accused men to important government posts.
A State Department official said the agency did not comment on extradition matters.A State Department official said the agency did not comment on extradition matters.
Aruba, a former Dutch colony, has its own Constitution but is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Ms. Angela said the arrest request was handled under a treaty between the United States and the Netherlands.Aruba, a former Dutch colony, has its own Constitution but is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Ms. Angela said the arrest request was handled under a treaty between the United States and the Netherlands.