The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated this Sunday that Nicolás Maduro is not the legitimate president of Venezuela, but rather the head of a narco-terrorist cartel that has violently seized control of the country.
In a message posted on his X account, Rubio stated: "Maduro is not the president of Venezuela, nor is his regime a legitimate government. Maduro is the leader of the Cartel of the Suns, a narcoterrorist organization that has taken control of a country.”
In his message, he emphasized: "And he is formally charged with introducing drugs into the United States."
Rubio's statements come amid diplomatic tensions between Caracas and Washington, and following renewed allegations regarding the use of the Venezuelan state apparatus for illicit activities related to drug trafficking.
The so-called Cartel de Los Soles is an alleged criminal organization made up of high-ranking Venezuelan military officials, accused by U.S. authorities of being involved in international drug trafficking and of having the protection of Maduro himself.
Recently, the U.S. government designated the Cártel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization for supporting the Tren de Aragua and the Cártel de Sinaloa.
In a message on X, the Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs stated that "the United States has designated the Los Soles Cartel, based in Venezuela, for supporting the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, which have been designated by the United States as Foreign Terrorist Organizations."
Rubio has been one of the most vocal critics of the Venezuelan regime from Congress and now from his position in the Donald Trump administration, reaffirming Washington's stance of not recognizing the authority of chavismo over Venezuela.
The relationship between the United States and Venezuela is currently marked by tensions and contradictions. While the government of Donald Trump persists in refusing to recognize Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president and accuses him of leading a narco-terrorist network, the White House authorized Chevron to resume oil operations in Venezuelan territory.
This measure has been interpreted as a pragmatic attempt by Washington to secure strategic energy supplies, despite the official rhetoric against the Chavista regime.
The decision has sparked criticism even within the conservative political sphere and has been a topic of discussion among exiles and analysts. Cuban-American congressmen, for example, question these apparent contradictions, alluding to President Trump's selective approach, which prioritizes certain strategic areas—such as oil—while maintaining a hardline stance on other issues like immigration or drug trafficking linked to Caracas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marco Rubio's Accusations Against Nicolás Maduro and the Cartel of Los Soles
Why doesn’t Marco Rubio recognize Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela?
Marco Rubio states that Nicolás Maduro is not the legitimate president of Venezuela, but the leader of the Cartel de Los Soles, a narcoterrorist organization that has seized control of the country through force. Rubio has been a critical voice against the Venezuelan regime, accusing it of using the state apparatus for illegal activities related to drug trafficking.
What is the Cartel de Los Soles and what is its relationship with Nicolás Maduro?
The Cartel of the Suns is an alleged criminal organization made up of high-ranking Venezuelan military officials, accused by the United States of participating in international drug trafficking. The U.S. government accuses Nicolás Maduro of leading this cartel, using the Venezuelan government as a cover for his illegal activities.
What actions has the United States taken against the Cartel de Los Soles?
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), has designated the Cartel de Los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation allows for the confiscation of assets and interests of those involved in the U.S. Additionally, there are formal charges against Maduro for introducing drugs into the United States.
What is the United States' position regarding the Maduro regime in Venezuela?
The United States does not recognize Nicolás Maduro's regime as legitimate and accuses it of being a drug dictatorship that employs criminal organizations like the Cartel de Los Soles to expand drug trafficking and other criminal activities. Washington has imposed sanctions and maintains a critical stance and diplomatic pressure towards Caracas.
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