US Designates Non-Existent Cartel as a ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization’ To Justify Attacks on Venezuela

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Monday formally designated Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, layering additional terrorism-related sanctions on the group it has said includes President Nicolas Maduro and other high-ranking officials.

Venezuela's government rejected what it called a "ridiculous" U.S. plan to designate the "non-existent" group.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this month the U.S. would designateCartel de los Soles, or Cartel of the Suns, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) for the network's alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the U.S.