During his presentation on threats to stability in the region, Marco Rubio identified cooperation between the Venezuelan executive and irregular armed groups as the main factor increasing the activity of transnational crime in Latin America. In this context, Rubio focused his remarks on accusing Nicolás Maduro’s government of facilitating illegal activities, promoting – as he claimed – the export of cocaine to the United States and strengthening organizations classified as terrorists and criminals. As detailed by Europa Press, Rubio’s analysis was in response to an annual review of the biggest foreign policy and security challenges in the hemisphere.
According to the Europa Press report, Rubio described a scenario in which the Venezuelan government maintains a level of freedom of movement that favors the actions of drug trafficking networks, particularly in alliance with dissidents from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN). The US official assured that these organizations exploit the Caribbean as a main route for the transport of drugs into US territory, thus perpetuating trafficking patterns that increase risks to regional security.
The European Press reported that Rubio attributed the recent strengthening of bilateral and multilateral alliances and strategies between the United States and Latin American countries to the existence of criminal activities in Venezuela, which he indicated were carried out with the connivance of local officials. Without giving specific numbers or details about the scale or logistics of these illicit flows, Rubio insisted that the severity of the phenomenon requires coordinated international responses and increased surveillance of trade corridors leaving Venezuelan territories.
According to Europa Press, Rubio emphasized in his speech that Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador have expressed interest in working with the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. Regarding the Colombian case, the Foreign Minister mentioned that “there are very good relations with the security teams of Colombia, no matter how unusual its president may be,” and referred to Gustavo Petro, but avoided elaborating on the results or the current level of bilateral cooperation in the fight against these threats.
Europa Press reported that Rubio also highlighted the United States’ position toward the Venezuelan government, which he labeled an “illegitimate regime” and noted that it has direct relationships with criminal and terrorist actors. Regarding the alleged cooperation between Caracas and Iran and Hezbollah, Rubio mentioned the existence of these ties, but did not provide further details or make them the central theme of his appearance.
The US official also addressed the context of sanctions and ongoing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, including restrictions on Venezuelan oil exports promoted during the administration of Donald Trump, although on this occasion he chose to focus his statements on Caracas’ alleged collaboration with transnational criminal organizations.
Throughout his assessment, Rubio argued that progress against drug trafficking organizations and armed groups requires strengthening international alliances and maintaining the momentum of both bilateral and multilateral dialogues. He pointed out that Washington’s strategy includes maintaining and intensifying joint actions with the countries of the continent that express their political will to combat organized crime, as Europa Press reports.
The official also stressed that countries that hinder international cooperation or have relationships with illicit actors exacerbate conditions of instability in the region. Rubio concluded his speech by reaffirming the United States’ commitment to continuing to promote cooperation with Latin American governments interested in combating drug trafficking. According to statements collected by Europa Press, Rubio stated that international cooperation is the most important tool to stop the spread of criminal networks and protect the security of both Latin American and US citizens.
About The Author
