US President Donald Trump has not ruled out military options against Venezuela, after months of building pressure on Caracas through the deployment of the US naval fleet in the Caribbean, which experts believe is a worrying sign for the Maduro government.
The US government on Monday designated the so-called "Cartel de los Soles" (Cartel of the Suns) group as a terrorist organisation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed last month that the US was considering declaring the cartel as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO) for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the United States.
The move comes after the Trump administration continued to put pressure on Venezuela, including multiple strikes carried out by the US forces targeting the alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific waters. Washington's listing of the "Cartel de los Soles" opens the door to new forms of US pressure on the leftist Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Responding to the development, the Venezuelan foreign ministry hit back, saying, "Venezuela categorically, firmly, and absolutely rejects this new and ridiculous lie from the Secretary of the Department of State, Marco Rubio, who designates the alleged Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organisation... to justify an illegitimate and illegal intervention against Venezuela."
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Meanwhile, the US administration has blamed Nicolás Maduro for running the so-called drug cartel network, charges that Caracas repeatedly denies. The term "Cartel de los Soles" (Cartel of the Suns) refers to the sun-like symbols that are emblazoned on the uniforms of members of the Venezuelan armed forces.
Officials in Caracas are sceptical over the US' motives, however, viewing Washington’s recent efforts as an attempt to topple the Maduro government.
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