Washington January 4 2026 (Agencies) – Allegations circulating online and in some political circles claim that Venezuela’s former chief of military intelligence Hugo Carvajal has disclosed the names of US senators allegedly linked to illicit payments from the government of President Nicolás Maduro and associated drug trafficking networks, though no official documentation or court confirmation has been made public.
According to the unverified claims, the individuals named are alleged to have received financial kickbacks in exchange for political influence related to US policy toward Venezuela. US authorities have not confirmed the existence or authenticity of any such list, and no indictments or criminal charges have been announced against any of the individuals named in connection with these allegations.
The senators named in the circulating claims include Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff of California, Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Chris Coons of Delaware, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul of Kentucky, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins and Angus King of Maine, Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith of Minnesota, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Cory Booker and Andy Kim of New Jersey, Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania, Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas, Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch of Vermont, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell of Washington, Jim Justice of West Virginia, and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.
Legal analysts stress that the allegations, as currently presented, remain unproven and lack publicly available evidence such as court filings, financial records, or sworn testimony. No US senator has been charged or convicted in relation to bribery, treason, or material support to foreign criminal organizations arising from these claims.
Hugo Carvajal, also known as “El Pollo,” has previously been indicted in the United States on narcotics-related charges connected to Venezuela and has been described by prosecutors in past proceedings as a potential cooperating witness. However, the extent and content of any cooperation with US authorities remain undisclosed.
The US Department of Justice, the White House, and congressional leadership have not issued official statements addressing the allegations. Observers note that the claims have emerged amid heightened political and military tensions between Washington and Caracas, underscoring the need for caution until any assertions are tested through formal investigations or judicial processes.
Until verified by competent authorities, the allegations remain unsubstantiated, and all individuals named are presumed innocent under US law.