US designates group allegedly tied to Venezuela's Maduro for supporting gangs

The United States on Friday designated a group it said is tied to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for allegedly supporting the Tren de Aragua gang and Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, which the U.S. has named so-called foreign terrorist organizations. The group, known as the Cartel de Los Soles, is allegedly made up of high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including Maduro.

The United States on Friday designated a group it said is tied to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for allegedly supporting the Tren de Aragua gang and Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, which the U.S. has named so-called foreign terrorist organizations. The group, known as the Cartel de Los Soles, is allegedly made up of high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including Maduro. The U.S. in 2020 had already charged Maduro and his allies with drug trafficking.

Venezuela's communications ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.