WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump administration is ramping up the intensity against Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro after designating him and his government allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Designating it as a FTO could authorize Trump to impose sanctions on Maduro. This is the latest measure the administration is taking against Venezuela amid rising tensions.
The State Department said they are designating the Cartel De Los Soles as a FTO, but analysts suggest that the Cartel De Los Soles is not an actual organization. They said Cartel De Los Soles is a figure of speech in Venezuela, referring to Venezuelan military officials corrupted by drug money.
The State Department said the Cartel De Los Soles is headed by Maduro and other high-ranking individuals, and they are responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere and for trafficking drugs in the US.
This is the latest measure the administration is using to combat drug trafficking and escalating tensions with the Maduro regime. Over these past few months, the US has built up a large military presence in the Caribbean. There have also been military strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean.
“Where the risk of being drawn into an unauthorized war and conflict grows is why we are here today,” said Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D- PA). “Restoring constitutional guardrails at a moment it is urgently needed.”
House Democratic members recently introduced legislation that would prohibit the administration from spending money to send US troops into direct hostilities with Venezuela unless congress approves it.
“We owe our troops better than this,” said Rep. Seth Moulton (D- MA). “They deserve leaders who look out for them and for our country and keep them out of moral and legal danger and they deserve a congress that refuses to let this president send them to fight and die in an unnecessary war.”
Earlier this month a bipartisan group of Senators tried to seek congressional approval for any military action by the President against Venezuela, but it failed by just a handful of votes.
In a statement from the Venezuelan government, they are denying the existence of the cartel and called the administration’s accusation as a “ridiculous fabrication” meant to “justify an illegitimate and illegal intervention against Venezuela.”
Trump has not ruled out military action against Venezuela despite the possibility of talks with Maduro.
