Extra: Venezuela Ex Spy Chief Carvajal Arraigned and Detained in NY, Inner City Press Asks of Letter

... and what El Pollo might spill or squawk - more here below the fold / paywall line

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 20 –  Venezuela's former spy chief Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios a/k/a El Pollo is in US custody in a narco-trafficking conspiracy case begun in 2011, after a long extradition fight in Spain.

    Carvajal was arraigned by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Stuart D. Aaron on July 20. Inner City Press was there and live tweeted, thread:

Carvajal's lawyers have gone out into the hall with two of the three prosecutors. Bail deal seems doubtful. But they are talking...

Carvajal's legal team's statement emphasizes that he "broke publicly with the government of Nicolas Maduro and looks forward...to an unbiased American jury. A bail application will be forthcoming." So apparently going to consent to detention today

 Both Carvajal's counsel and the two prosecutors have come back into the courtroom.

 Carvajal is brought in by 2 US Marshals, in a white T-shirt. Has a lawyer sutting on each side of him. 

Assistant US Attorney says Carvajal arrived in the US yesterday at 1:15 pm. Judge Aaron reads out the charges. Defense: He pleads not guilty.

 AUSA: The government seeks detention. Defense: We consent without prejudice. Next hearing before Judge Hellerstein July 25 at 12:30 pm. Medical order signed.

Afterward Inner City Press asked Carvajal's lawyer about his client's letter in Spain about information he has, video here from 1:50.

Vlog in Spanish and English here

More details below the fold / paywall line here