(Reuters) -The Venezuelan government on Monday rejected what it called a “ridiculous” U.S. plan to designate the “nonexistent” Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organization, ahead of Washington’s expected designation later in the day.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this month his country would designate the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the U.S..

The Trump administration, which alleges the cartel is made up of high-ranking officials, has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading the group, which he denies. The move comes as Maduro faces escalating pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump via a massive U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. It has also raised so

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