Venezuela’s Cabello Denies Existence of ‘Cartel of the Suns,’ Amidst U.S. caribbean Deployment
CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello vehemently denied the existence of the “Cartel of the Suns” on Friday, dismissing it as an “imperialist narrative” fabricated by the United States. The denial comes as the U.S. maintains a significant naval and air presence in the Caribbean Sea, ostensibly to combat drug trafficking originating from Venezuela.
The U.S. goverment has designated the Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organization, alleging it is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro alongside members of his government and the Armed forces.
“Suddenly thay dusted off something they call the Cartel of the Suns,which they have never and never been able to verify because it does not exist. It is indeed the narrative of imperialism,” Cabello stated during a conference addressing drug use and juvenile delinquency.
The U.S. military has reported intercepting 20 vessels in the Caribbean over the past two months,allegedly carrying drugs,resulting in over 66 fatalities linked to criminal organizations. Cabello criticized these actions, asserting that “anyone who is on a boat in the Caribbean can be attacked without any legal formality.” He emphasized that due process – “processed, investigated, arrested, the culprits are presented and the seized drugs are presented” – should be followed instead of “summary execution.”
The Maduro government contends that the U.S.military presence is a precursor to a “regime change” operation aimed at installing a “puppet” government to exploit Venezuela’s natural resources, notably it’s oil reserves.
U.S. authorities trace the origins of the Cartel of the Suns back to the 1990s, describing it as a group comprised of Venezuelan military personnel – the name referencing the insignia worn by generals. The DEA formally launched investigations in March 2020, during the management of Donald Trump. In August of last year, Washington increased the reward for information leading to maduro’s capture to $50 million.
