US Sets Venezuelan Cartel De Los Soles Foreign Terrorist Organization

US President Donald Trump/PHOTO via Instagram @whitehouse

JAKARTA - The United States will name the Cartel de los Soles, accused by the US of being led by Venezuelan President Nicol? Maduro and other high-ranking officials, as foreign terrorist organizations this month.

"Both Maduro and his krony do not represent the legitimate Venezuelan government," the State Department said in a press release reported by CNN, Monday, November 17.

"Cartel de los Soles by and alongside other designated FTOs including Trend de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel are responsible for terrorist violence across our hemisphere as well as for drug trafficking to the United States and Europe," he continued.

The determination, which will take effect on November 24, comes as the United States increases its military presence in the Caribbean, including with the arrival of the world's largest aircraft carrier on Sunday.

Tensions have risen between Presidents Donald Trump and Maduro as US troops target suspected drug trafficking operations, with the US carrying out the 21st known attack on ships suspected of carrying drugs over the weekend.

Trump on Sunday proposed that the designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization provides the US military with the ability to target Maduro's assets and infrastructure within Venezuela.

"It was possible for us to do that, but we haven't said we will," Trump told reporters. "We'll probably have a discussion with Maduro, and we'll see about the results," he continued.

"They want to negotiate," Trump said without providing details.

Although Trump hinted last week he had made decisions about Venezuela's military action, he was not committed on Sunday.

Trump also said he was not sure the government needed congressional authorization for potential military action in Venezuela.

Instead, the US president said he wanted to continue providing information to lawmakers without any right to speak.

"We want Congress to remain involved. I mean, we stop drug dealers and drugs from entering our country. We don't have to get their consent. But I think telling them it's good," he said.