Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced his intention to classify Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
He directly implicated Nicols Maduro, accusing his regime of leveraging state power to facilitate drug trafficking and violent activities linked to other extremist groups. Rubio asserted that the cartel, "headed by the illegitimate Nicols Maduro," has deeply corrupted Venezuela's governmental institutions and is accountable for "terrorist violence conducted by and with other designated FTOs."
Such a designation would impose significant legal ramifications, including criminal penalties for those aiding the cartel and financial sanctions on its assets.
As reported by The Post Millennial, this announcement coincides with escalating tensions in the Caribbean. Venezuela has initiated a large-scale military operation, citing a response to an "imperialist threat" from U.S. forces. Recent drone attacks have destroyed several cartel-linked vessels, with Caracas accusing Washington of attempting to destabilize the Maduro regimea claim the Pentagon denies, despite the increased regional military presence.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lpez stated that the nationwide drills, ordered by Maduro, involve land, air, naval, and reserve forces, aiming to "optimize command, control and communications" within the country's defense network. The Bolivarian Militia, a civilian reserve force established under Hugo Chvez, is also participating.
These maneuvers align with the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the U.S. fleet, following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision to redeploy the strike group from Europe. The Ford is accompanied by over 4,000 sailors, two Arleigh Burkeclass destroyers, USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan, and the command ship USS Winston S. Churchill.
As the situation develops, the region remains on edge, with both nations demonstrating their military capabilities amidst the ongoing geopolitical standoff.
Login