Justice Department Backs Down on 'Terrorist' Label for Venezuelan Leader's Cartel
The US Department of Justice has quietly removed the term "terrorist" from an indictment against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a move that downplays the severity of charges against him. The amended indictment, released last weekend, describes the alleged cartel, known as the Cartel de Los Soles, only twice and removes explicit language linking its members to the organization.
The original 2020 grand jury indictment had mentioned the cartel 32 times, with Maduro listed as its head. This portrayal of the group has been disputed, however. The term "Cartel of the Suns" was actually coined by Venezuelan journalists in the 1990s to describe high-ranking officials corrupted by drug money - not an actual organized crime syndicate.
The Department of State designated the Cartel de Los Soles a foreign terrorist organization last November, citing its alleged role in facilitating narco-terrorism. However, the US Treasury and other officials continue to use the term as if it's a legitimate entity headed by Maduro.
Rubio's Misguided Language
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to the Cartel de Los Soles as an actual terrorist group just one day after the Department of Justice downplayed its language. His continued use of the term reflects a disconnect between his office and the DOJ on this matter.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan officials have made similar claims about Maduro's alleged ties to the cartel. Senator John Cornyn has repeatedly stated that Maduro was both the head of the Cartel de Los Soles and an illegitimate President of Venezuela.
A Flawed Narrative
Critics argue that Rubio's framing is misleading, as it implies a level of legitimacy to the organization that doesn't exist. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson also made claims about the Maduro regime functioning as a "criminal organization masquerading as a government." These statements raise questions about the scope and intention behind US policy towards Venezuela.
While some may view these developments as minor changes, they demonstrate a deeper shift in how US officials approach this situation - one that prioritizes rhetoric over fact.
The US Department of Justice has quietly removed the term "terrorist" from an indictment against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a move that downplays the severity of charges against him. The amended indictment, released last weekend, describes the alleged cartel, known as the Cartel de Los Soles, only twice and removes explicit language linking its members to the organization.
The original 2020 grand jury indictment had mentioned the cartel 32 times, with Maduro listed as its head. This portrayal of the group has been disputed, however. The term "Cartel of the Suns" was actually coined by Venezuelan journalists in the 1990s to describe high-ranking officials corrupted by drug money - not an actual organized crime syndicate.
The Department of State designated the Cartel de Los Soles a foreign terrorist organization last November, citing its alleged role in facilitating narco-terrorism. However, the US Treasury and other officials continue to use the term as if it's a legitimate entity headed by Maduro.
Rubio's Misguided Language
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to the Cartel de Los Soles as an actual terrorist group just one day after the Department of Justice downplayed its language. His continued use of the term reflects a disconnect between his office and the DOJ on this matter.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan officials have made similar claims about Maduro's alleged ties to the cartel. Senator John Cornyn has repeatedly stated that Maduro was both the head of the Cartel de Los Soles and an illegitimate President of Venezuela.
A Flawed Narrative
Critics argue that Rubio's framing is misleading, as it implies a level of legitimacy to the organization that doesn't exist. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson also made claims about the Maduro regime functioning as a "criminal organization masquerading as a government." These statements raise questions about the scope and intention behind US policy towards Venezuela.
While some may view these developments as minor changes, they demonstrate a deeper shift in how US officials approach this situation - one that prioritizes rhetoric over fact.
anyway back to venezuela lol didnt know they had a cartel w/ suns in the name sounds like a cheesy superhero team 
. If you're going to call Maduro's cartel a terrorist group, let's at least be honest about what we mean by that term. I mean, come on, the original indictment listed "Cartel of the Suns" like 32 times... it's just a fancy name for "corrupt officials taking bribes". And now they're downplaying it and Rubio is still using the "terrorist" label? It just feels like a PR stunt to me 
. Can't we have a real conversation about this instead of spewing conspiracy theories?
. And Rubio's still spoutin' off about it like it's true 
. Meanwhile, we got US officials sayin' one thing and doin' another... it's all just kinda confusing 
.
. Maduro's been accused of some shady stuff, but to label an entire cartel "terrorist" without even knowin' what that means? 
That's not how you solve problems, folks! You gotta get the facts straight and talk sense, not rhetoric 
.
. It's time for US officials to stop playin' politics with people's lives and start thinkin' about the truth 
.
and what's up with Rubio's timeline? first DOJ backs down, then he just jumps on the bandwagon 
. It's all about the optics, right? The US is trying to frame Maduro in the worst light possible, but it seems like they're not quite getting it right.
. Let's stick to facts and less rhetoric, shall we? 
and what's with Rubio's continued use of that term despite the DOJ saying it was unnecessary? doesn't he know that can be super damaging to their reputation? 
what's really going on here? 