The European Parliament agreed to classify the Venezuelan “Cartel de los Soles” as a terrorist organization, joining alongside the U.S. in condemning the Venezuelan dictator, Nicolás Maduro.
Florida Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart praised the European Union’s decision, demanding “accountability from those who conspire with Maduro’s illegitimate regime.”
“I applaud the members of the European Union for promoting and achieving the approval of a firm resolution that designates the Cartel de los Soles, along with other Colombian cartels, as terrorist organizations,” he said.
Díaz-Balart added how Maduro is the “ringleader” of the South American criminal network and he alongside other cartels is responsible for the drug trafficking epidemic in the U.S.
The congressman finished his statement by urging others to condemn Maduro and his regime.
“We must continue firmly condemning Maduro, his accomplices, and demanding accountability from those who conspire with Maduro’s illegitimate regime and jeopardize the national security interests of the United States,” he concluded.
The Venezuelan cartel has been confirmed to hold ties to Maduro and other cartels in South America, to create a narcotics and drug trafficking funded state.
With 355 votes in favor and 173 against, European parliamentarians expressed their alarm at the advance of criminal organizations that operate on the Colombian-Venezuelan border and facilitate drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and the financing of insurgent groups.
The EU resolution also warns that Colombian-Venezuelan border drug operations not only deepen instability in the region, but also undermine sovereignty and democracy in Colombia, by providing logistical, financial, and territorial support to illegal armed organizations.
Parliamentarians also urged the EU Council to update the list of terrorist groups to also include the Colombian cartels “Clan del Golfo” and the “FARC dissident groups” while expressing concern for Colombian democracy following the assassination of Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay and the rise of multi-national terror groups and the violence they bring.
