The defense of Hugo “El Pollo” Carvajal continues its relentless effort to prevent the former Venezuelan intelligence chief from facing charges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on June 23, 2025, as scheduled.
The defense strategy centers around the doctrine of sovereign immunity, as argued by attorney Robert Feitel. He claims that Carvajal enjoys this privilege due to his status as an “ex-representative of a foreign government,” which legally protects governments and their agencies from being sued without their consent.
Additionally, the attorney asserts the illegality of his client’s extradition from Spain to the United States in 2023, and plans to challenge the extradition of a man facing charges of narcoterrorism and drug trafficking. Carvajal Barrios is alleged to be one of the leaders of the Cartel de los Soles, a cocaine trafficking organization reportedly directed by the Venezuelan regime.
Defense Preparation
In line with this strategy, Robert Feitel has requested extensions from the court, which has set deadlines for the submission of motions and responses, to adequately prepare the defense plan for Hugo “El Pollo” Carvajal, who served as Venezuela’s military intelligence director during the administrations of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro.
“El Pollo” Carvajal is accused of abusing his position to facilitate drug trafficking, including an attempted shipment of 5.6 tons of cocaine to the U.S. in 2006.
Before his extradition, the case was marked by a complex legal history, including an arrest in Aruba in 2014, his escape to Spain in 2019, and his subsequent capture and extradition.
Feitel’s argument for sovereign immunity, while interesting, is questionable in its applicability, given that the alleged crimes attributed to Carvajal Barrios do not constitute official government acts. The outcome of the case will ultimately depend on how the court interprets these legal arguments.
Hugo El Pollo Carvajal Seeks Extension for Defense
The defense of Hugo El Pollo Carvajal will also challenge his extradition to the U.S.
On February 3, 2025, Robert Feitel from the Law Office of Robert Feitel P.L.L.C., representing Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, sent a communication to Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein requesting a one-week extension for the defense notification under Section 5 of the CIPA, moving the deadline from February 3 to February 10, 2025.
This request was made with the consent of the prosecution for an extension until March 12, 2025, for the government’s response. It is noteworthy that this would not affect the trial date scheduled for June 23, 2025. The judge approved the extension on February 4, 2025.
Pre-Trial Schedule
On March 4, 2025, Matthew Podolsky, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, presented the government’s proposed pre-trial schedule to Judge Hellerstein for consideration and approval by the court.
The communication confirms the scheduled trial of Hugo Armando Carvajal for the previously set date of June 23, 2025.
After deliberation, Hugo “El Pollo” Carvajal’s defense and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York agreed on the following key dates:
04/24/25 – Deadline for the submission of government expert witness statements.
05/23/25 – Deadline for the submission of defense expert witness statements.
05/30/25 – Deadline for the submission of in limine motions, indictment requests, and voir dire.
06/06/25 – Deadline for the submission of opposition to in limine motions.
06/09/25 – Deadline for the submission of evidence and 3500 material.
06/16/25 – Final pre-conference.
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