The judicial net is tightening around the Chavismo regime. A fresh indictment from the Southern District of New York's Prosecutor's Office against Nicolás Maduro has now expanded its reach to target the regime's closest allies: Diosdado Cabello, the historical "second-in-command" of Chavismo and among the most influential figures in Venezuela, and Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, known as "Nicolasito", the son of the ousted leader.
Both individuals are accused of being involved in a network of drug trafficking, corruption, and money laundering that allegedly operated for years with the backing of high-ranking military and civilian officials, according to reports from agency EFE.
At 62, Cabello has held numerous influential positions, including Vice President under Hugo Chávez, Minister of the Interior, President of the Constituent National Assembly, and a key figure in the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
For over a decade, U.S. agencies have linked him to the so-called "Cartel of the Suns," an organization composed of Venezuelan military officers purportedly responsible for smuggling tons of cocaine into the United States.
In 2018, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned him for corruption and drug trafficking, and in 2020, he was formally charged with narcoterrorism alongside Maduro.
By 2025, Washington increased the bounty for his capture to $25 million, solidifying his status as one of the continent's most wanted fugitives. Cabello, however, has consistently denied the allegations, dismissing them as "imperial attacks" against the Bolivarian revolution.
The involvement of "Nicolasito" Maduro Guerra, aged 33, signifies a new chapter in the judicial offensive. Previously, he held largely ceremonial positions within the regime—such as a constituent deputy and head of the Presidential Inspectorate—but this marks the first time his name appears in an international legal case.
Prosecutors accuse him of participating in money laundering operations and protecting drug trafficking networks linked to high-ranking Chavista officials.
The judicial blow also affects Cilia Flores, Maduro's wife. Two of her nephews, Efraín Antonio Campo Flores and Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas, were sentenced in New York in 2017 to 18 years in prison for attempting to smuggle 800 kilos of cocaine into the United States, leveraging their connection to the presidential couple to facilitate these shipments.
With these charges, Washington puts Maduro's inner circle under intense scrutiny, reinforcing its stance that Chavismo functioned as a "narco-state" for over a decade.
The downfall of Maduro and the new indictments mark a point of no return: the end of the impunity myth that shielded the Venezuelan dictatorial elite, now facing U.S. justice.
Impact of U.S. Charges on Maduro's Circle
What are the main charges against Diosdado Cabello and Nicolasito Maduro Guerra?
Diosdado Cabello and Nicolasito Maduro Guerra are accused of being part of a network involved in drug trafficking, corruption, and money laundering, allegedly operating with the support of high-level military and civilian officials.
How has the U.S. targeted Diosdado Cabello in the past?
The U.S. has linked Cabello to the "Cartel of the Suns" and sanctioned him for corruption and drug trafficking. He was formally charged with narcoterrorism in 2020, and a $25 million bounty has been placed on his capture.
What is the significance of the charges against Nicolasito Maduro Guerra?
The charges signal a new level of judicial action, as "Nicolasito" had previously held only ceremonial roles within the regime. This is the first time he is named in an international case, accused of money laundering and supporting drug trafficking networks.