Retired Venezuelan General Defying Maduro Sentenced in US for Terrorism Support

In a significant development from Manhattan, a retired Venezuelan army general, Cliver Alcalá, aged 62, has been sentenced to over 21 years in prison. This sentencing comes after Alcalá's admission of providing weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States. The sentencing was carried out by US District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.

Alcalá, hailing from Caracas, Venezuela, had previously attempted to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro through coups. His guilty plea last year encompassed charges of supporting a terrorist group and facilitating arms to FARC. While prosecutors pushed for a 30-year sentence citing his acceptance of substantial bribes fueled by cocaine profits, Alcalá's defense sought a more lenient six-year term. Ultimately, Judge Hellerstein decreed a prison term of 21 years and eight months for Alcalá.

US Attorney Damian Williams highlighted the gravity of Alcalá's actions in a statement post-sentencing. He pointed out Alcalá's role in attempting to "weaponize cocaine" by aiding FARC with weaponry as substantial quantities of narcotics were trafficked into the United States. Williams condemned Alcalá for undermining the integrity of Venezuelan institutions to support FARC's cocaine distribution efforts across the US.

Prosecutors detailed that starting in 2006, Alcalá exploited his influential military position in Venezuela, where he commanded thousands of armed forces personnel, to assist FARC's cocaine distribution operations aimed at the US market. In 2020, Alcalá surrendered in Colombia to respond to charges in New York that implicated him, alongside Maduro and other Venezuelan military and political figures, in a comprehensive conspiracy utilizing Venezuela as a base for flooding the US with cocaine.

Defense attorneys portrayed Alcalá as living modestly in Colombia before his arrest, residing in a small rented apartment with an older model car and barely $3,000 in his bank account. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Alcalá reflected on his incarceration period, sharing insights into his reading of over 200 books behind bars, daily fitness regimen consisting of five-mile treadmill runs, and contemplation on his past decisions and regrets.