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Venezuela rejects US terrorist designation of the Cartel of the Suns as tensions rise over increased American military deployment.

The Venezuelan government has strongly dismissed the United States’ decision to label an alleged drug cartel as a terrorist organisation, describing the move as baseless and politically motivated.

In a statement released on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the US was fabricating lies to create grounds for what it called an “illegal intervention” in the South American country.

“Venezuela categorically, firmly, and absolutely rejects the new and ridiculous lie from the Secretary of the Department of State, Marco Rubio, who designates the alleged Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organisation,” the statement read.

Washington’s decision officially took effect on Monday. With the listing, the US now has more room to intensify pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, whom American officials claim oversees the shadowy group known as the Cartel of the Suns.

US authorities say the designation forms part of a broader campaign targeting drug trafficking and illegal migration from Latin America. 

As part of this effort, the US has deployed a massive military presence in the Caribbean, including the world’s largest aircraft carrier.

Since September, US forces have reportedly carried out deadly air strikes on boats suspected of transporting drugs in international waters, killing at least 83 people.

But critics in Venezuela argue that the recent terrorist listing is simply another tool to justify heightened US military activity around the region. 

With the increased deployment already underway, analysts say Washington now has additional legal grounds to mount more pressure on Maduro’s administration.