Former US empire Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman during a press conference announcing indictments against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other officials in 2020. Photo: X/@SDNYnews/File photo.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Venezuela’s minister for foreign affairs, Yván Gil, has issued a firm statement asserting that recent accusations by the US empire demonstrate clear desperation and represent a total lack of credibility of the Trump administration’s Latin American policies.
The government of the US entity claims—without providing evidence—that a drug trafficking network in Venezuela is led by President Nicolás Maduro under the so-called Cartel de los Soles, which it alleges is connected to the Tren de Aragua and Sinaloa Cartel criminal organizations.
Gil’s statement, made this Tuesday, August 19, rebuffed these unsupported claims, detailing Venezuela’s active and successful fight against organized crime and drug trafficking. The foreign minister noted that since the expulsion of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from Venezuelan territory in 2005, the government has assumed full control of the fight against drugs, strengthening security, increasing drug seizures, and enhancing internal cooperation.
Through ongoing operations, various Venezuelan law enforcement agencies have achieved successful arrests, dismantled criminal networks, and effectively controlled borders and coasts. In recent years, authorities have seized large quantities of narcotics and dismantled major criminal groups. However, these achievements have been systematically ignored by the Trump administration, despite being recognized even by the United Nations and the European Union.
Gil emphasized that the US colony’s threats jeopardize more than just the Venezuelan people; they threaten the stability of the entire region, including the Zone of Peace declared by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) across the region. This zone is a space that promotes sovereignty and cooperation among peoples while nourishing peace.
The statement concluded that despite constant defamation, Venezuela continues to make effective progress against organized crime. The will of the people and the commitment of the government are unwavering. Ultimately, the baseless accusations of the US empire are merely an attempt to delegitimize the achievements of a nation defending its sovereignty.
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Below, you can read the unofficial translation of the Venezuelan statement:
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela clearly sees the desperation of the US administration, which resorts to threats and defamation against our country. Washington’s accusing Venezuela of drug trafficking reveals its lack of credibility and the failure of its policies in the region.
Since the expulsion of the DEA from our territory in 2005, Venezuela has achieved significant results in the fight against organized crime: successful arrests, dismantling of networks, and effective control of borders and coasts, the result of the efforts and commitment of our institutions and the Venezuelan people.
These threats not only affect Venezuela, but also threaten the peace and stability of the entire region, including the Zone of Peace declared by CELAC, a space that promotes sovereignty and cooperation among Latin American peoples.
While Washington threatens, Venezuela is moving forward firmly in peace and sovereignty, demonstrating that true effectiveness against crime is achieved by respecting the independence of peoples.
Every aggressive statement confirms imperialism’s inability to subdue a free and sovereign people.
The people of BolĂvar and Chávez will continue to defeat any attempt at intervention. Venezuela is a beacon of dignity, resilience, and security for Latin America and the world.
Caracas, August 19, 2025.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/AU
