The U.S. has formally designated the Venezuela-based criminal group known as the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO), according to a notice published on Monday (24 November) in the U.S. Federal Register.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio officially signed the designation, saying, “I hereby designate the aforementioned organisation and its respective aliases as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.”
While Rubio announced the move earlier this month, it officially took effect on Monday.
According to the U.S. State Department, the Cartel de los Soles, along with other designated FTOs including Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, are responsible for terrorist violence across the Americas and for trafficking illicit drugs into the U.S. and Europe.
The Venezuelan government has strongly rejected the designation.
Foreign Minister Yvan Gil described the move as a “ridiculous fabrication” and said Caracas “categorically, firmly and absolutely rejects” the claim that the cartel exists. Gil accused Washington of attempting to justify “an illegitimate and illegal intervention against Venezuela.”
Tensions between the two countries have risen amid ongoing U.S. military operations in Latin America. Reports indicate that the U.S. has deployed Marines, warships, fighter and bomber jets, submarines, and drones in the region, sparking speculation about a possible military confrontation.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that Venezuela is open to direct dialogue, with the U.S. President Trump indicating on Friday that he would hold talks with Maduro in the near future.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reaffirmed his support for Saudi Arabia following Houthi attacks, as U.S. President Donald Trump consid...
Pakistan and Oman called for restraint and diplomacy on Wednesday as they discussed the U.S.-Iran conflict, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and thre...
Yemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for the recent drone and missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh and at ...
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Yemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for the recent drone and missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh and at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, vowing to carry out more attacks in the coming days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Thousands of young Georgians leave the country each year in search of better economic opportunities, with many moving west. As questions grow over Georgia’s European path, AnewZ spoke to people who have emigrated about what it would take for them to return.
Ukraine's soldiers have had their access to Starlink satellite internet restricted. Kyiv's troops use the terminals, made by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to pilot drones. A source in Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the restrictions would make it harder for Kyiv's army to down Russian drones.
Ukraine's soldiers have had their access to Starlink satellite internet restricted. Kyiv's troops use the terminals, made by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to pilot drones. A source in Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the restrictions would make it harder for Kyiv's army to down Russian drones.
A 62-year-old man died on Wednesday after floodwaters swept his car into the sea on the Greek island of Rhodes, as torrential rain flooded roads, stranded vehicles and disrupted transport across the island.
A failure by the U.S. and Iran to reach an agreement on a UN-backed fertiliser shipping plan for the Strait of Hormuz within weeks could trigger a food security crisis in parts of Asia and Africa, a senior UN official has warned.
Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican says the tumour was detected during a routine health check, but its stage and whether it has spread remain unknown.
Greek students braved heavy rain to pitch tents outside parliament in Athens on Tuesday, demanding affordable housing and more education funding as rising living costs put university places beyond the reach of some students.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment