The U.S. State Department is furious at news that retired Venezuelan General Hugo Carvajal, arrested for drug trafficking upon request by the U.S., have been released from prison on Caribbean island of Aruba, due to his diplomatic immunity. 

Washington accused the former chief of Venezuelan military intelligence back in 2008, for preventing seizure of cocaine shipments by the Venezuelan authorities and for supporting FARC rebels in Colombia with weapon and shelter.

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Carvajal was arrested in Aruuba on Wednesday last week, but was released Sunday because the Dutch government found him eligible for diplomatic immunity.

Spokeswoman Jen Psaki from the U.S. State Department called it very disappointing and disturbing that Carvajal was released instead of being extradited to U.S.

"We have a treaty with the Netherlands and Aruba that governs extraditions between our countries, so we do not understand why they chose to release him," she said according to Reuters

"He should not have been granted diplomatic immunity according to established international norms," she said.

After his release, Carvajal landed in Caracas Sunday where he was greeted by attending Venezuelan officials.

Later he was hailed at a Socialist Party congress calling his release an ideological victory over the U.S.

The retired general was considered one of the most powerful associates of the late president Hugo Chavez, who strongly opposed the U.S.

In Chavez's tenure, Carvajal allegedly dipped into the illegal drugs trade due to his position as head of the military intelligence.

The case might fire up tensions between Venezuela and Washington because of accusations of state-sanctioned drug trafficking from Venezuela.

"We will pursue in bringing Carvajal to justice," Psaki said.

The state department is investigating reports that Venezuela may have pressured, and even threatened, Aruba and the Netherlands to release Carvajal. 

Speaking before a large crowd in Caracas Sunday night, Carvajal said, "The judge and the prosecutor who proceed with my case are corrupt. I suspect they received money for what they did to me."