Rubio Calls for Broadening National Security Approach to Latin American Criminal Networks
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The recent designation of the Los Soles Cartel as a terrorist organization unlocks new avenues for the United States to utilize military resources against Nicolás Maduro and his associates, according to statements made by a senior US official. This shift reflects a growing concern that transnational criminal organizations operating throughout Latin America pose a direct threat to US national security, extending far beyond customary law enforcement concerns.
escalating Threat: From Local Gangs to Terrorist Organizations
The evolving nature of these groups demands a recalibrated response, one that moves beyond treating them as mere “local gangs.” As one official stated, these organizations “have armament that, in some cases, is similar to that they have terrorists or even armies,” and frequently exert control over significant territories. This assessment was shared during an interview on the program The World Over With raymond Arroyo, broadcast by EWTN.
Did you know? – The Los Soles Cartel’s designation as a terrorist group allows the U.S. to use military force. This marks a significant escalation in the fight against Latin American criminal networks, shifting focus from law enforcement to national security.
The designation of the Los Soles Cartel fundamentally alters the US approach to confronting these networks. Previously focused on legal prosecution, the response can now encompass the full spectrum of American power – including intelligence agencies and the Department of Defense – to “attack them,” according to the official.
A Network Spanning Multiple Nations
The scope of these criminal networks is vast,extending from the Maduro regime in Venezuela,which the US does not recognize as a legitimate government,to organizations operating in Mexico,Ecuador,and Guatemala. The official characterized the Maduro regime not as a government, but as “a criminal company.” These networks, while appearing as disparate “street gangs” in some areas, function as “very well organized criminal companies.”
Pro tip: – The U.S. now views the Maduro regime as a criminal enterprise. this change in viewpoint allows for a broader range of actions, including military intervention, to combat the networks’ activities across multiple countries.
These organizations are not solely involved in drug trafficking. They also engage in human trafficking, contraband, and are developing “incipient ties with international terrorist organizations,” creating a persistent danger to the United States.
Drug Trafficking as Terrorism
The official emphasized that drug trafficking itself constitutes a form of terrorism practiced by these groups, but it is not their only illicit activity. This justification underscores the need to treat these networks as armed terrorist organizations,enabling the US to deploy its full range of capabilities against them.
The situation demands a comprehensive and forceful response to safeguard national security interests.
