what was maduro indicted for in 2020

In 2020, Nicolás Maduro was indicted in the United States on federal charges tied to large‑scale cocaine trafficking and so‑called “narco‑terrorism.” Prosecutors alleged that he and other senior Venezuelan officials worked with a network often referred to as the “Cartel de los Soles” to help move tons of cocaine toward the U.S. and to use drug shipments as a weapon against the United States.

Core charges in 2020

• Narco‑terrorism conspiracy: U.S. authorities accused Maduro of conspiring with Colombian guerrilla group FARC and other traffickers to “flood” the U.S. with cocaine for both profit and political pressure.

• Cocaine trafficking and importation conspiracy: The indictment alleged involvement in arranging and protecting multi‑ton cocaine shipments routed through Venezuela toward North America.

• Weapons‑related offenses: Senior Venezuelan figures linked to Maduro were also charged in relation to providing military‑grade weapons and protection to traffickers tied to those drug routes.

How U.S. officials framed it

• U.S. prosecutors portrayed Maduro as helping lead a state‑linked trafficking structure (the “Cartel de los Soles”) embedded in Venezuela’s military and political elite.

• The U.S. government publicly announced rewards for information leading to his capture and tied the case to a broader pressure campaign against his government at the time.

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