The United States intends to designate the Cartel de los Soles, which it claims is led by Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, as a foreign terrorist organization, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday (16).
“The Cartel de los Soles, along with other terrorist organizations, including the Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, are responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere, as well as drug trafficking into the United States and Europe,” Rubio said in a statement.
This designation comes amid increasing tensions due to the larger US military presence in the Caribbean, which Washington defends under the pretext of combating drug smuggling into the United States.
The Venezuelan regime claims that the designation actually seeks to overthrow Maduro, whom Washington considers an illegitimate leader and drug trafficker. The dictator denies his involvement in drug trafficking.
This Sunday, Rubio repeated the claim that the Cartel de los Soles is run by Maduro and other high-ranking officials who, in his words, have corrupted the Venezuelan army, intelligence, legislature and judiciary. He added: “Neither Maduro nor his companions represent the legitimate government in Venezuela.”
He also announced that the United States will continue to use all available tools to protect national security interests and deprive drug terrorists of funds and resources.
Since its military deployment in the Caribbean and Pacific region, US forces have killed at least 83 people accused of transporting drugs in international waters, according to a report prepared by Agence France-Presse based on public data.
However, the United States has provided no evidence that the people attacked were actually drug traffickers.
Experts believe these deaths amount to extrajudicial executions, even if they were targeted by known drug traffickers.
About The Author
