US will label supposed Venezuelan drug cartel ‘headed by Maduro’ as terrorist organization
In a significant escalation of its campaign against Nicolás Maduro’s regime, the United States has announced plans to designate a Venezuelan drug cartel, allegedly led by Maduro himself, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). This initiative, revealed by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, targets the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns), a group already notorious for its involvement in drug trafficking and violence. Rubio’s statement emphasized that the cartel has infiltrated Venezuela’s government, contributing to widespread corruption and engaging in terrorist activities alongside other designated organizations. This move has sparked speculation about the U.S. potentially ramping up military pressure to compel Maduro to resign, a notion that resonates with hardline opponents of the Venezuelan leader who have long sought his ousting.
The implications of this designation are profound, as it not only intensifies the U.S. stance against Maduro but also signals a potential shift in strategy. By labeling the Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization, the U.S. can impose further sanctions and legal actions against its members, thereby isolating Maduro and his associates. This aligns with the broader U.S. strategy of applying maximum pressure on authoritarian regimes through economic and political means. However, the announcement also raises questions about the extent of U.S. military involvement in Venezuela, especially given the historical context of U.S. interventions in Latin America. The Maduro regime has responded defiantly, dismissing the U.S. actions as imperialist aggression and a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty, indicating that the situation may escalate further as both sides prepare for potential confrontation.
As tensions rise, the international community watches closely, aware that any military action could have significant repercussions not only for Venezuela but for regional stability in South America. The U.S. administration’s mixed messages about its intentions—oscillating between diplomatic efforts and military threats—add to the uncertainty. This latest development underscores the complexities of U.S.-Venezuela relations, where the stakes are high, and the path forward remains fraught with challenges. The situation is evolving rapidly, and it is clear that the U.S. is prepared to take bold steps to confront what it views as a dire threat posed by Maduro’s regime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHx2GkCZGso
Experts believe decision is designed to pressure Venezuela’s leader into stepping down with threat of military force
Is US preparing to attack Venezuela and how has Maduro regime responded?
The US has said it will designate a putative
Venezuelan
drug cartel allegedly led by
Nicolás Maduro
as a foreign terrorist organization, as the Trump administration sent more mixed messages over its crusade against Venezuela’s authoritarian leader.
The move to target the already proscribed group, the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns), was announced by Marco Rubio on Sunday. “Headed by the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro, the group has corrupted the institutions of government in Venezuela and is responsible for terrorist violence conducted by and with other designated FTOs as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe,” the US secretary of state tweeted, generating excitement among hardline adversaries of Maduro who interpreted the announcement as proof Washington was preparing to intensify its push to force the South American dictator from power.
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