EU Declares Venezuela's Cartel of the Suns a Terrorist Group

The European Parliament has officially declared Venezuela"s Cartel of the Suns a terrorist organization, a move driven by Spain"s right-wing opposition party, Vox. This declaration marks a significant escalation in the EU"s stance on drug trafficking and organized crime linked to Latin American regimes.

Vox, spearheaded by representatives Hermann Tertsch and Jorge Martín Frías, announced the decision today, emphasizing the recognition of "communist terrorism" as a pressing threat in the Iberosphere. The Cartel of the Suns is notorious for its role in facilitating drug smuggling routes through Spain, connecting Colombian and Venezuelan traffickers with European markets.

This decision follows a backdrop of political turmoil in Spain, including the resignation of former parliament member Pablo Iglesias Turrión, who faced allegations of receiving funding from Venezuelan drug gangs associated with the Chavista regime. The political ramifications of such allegations have reverberated throughout Spain, intensifying scrutiny on the connections between drug trafficking and political figures.

The declaration is expected to have far-reaching implications for international law enforcement and cooperation in combating drug-related terrorism. As Europe grapples with increasing drug-related violence, the EU"s recognition of the Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist entity could pave the way for stricter measures against organized crime. For more on similar situations, see our previous reports on terrorism charges in different contexts.