The growing tension between the United States and Venezuela escalated over the weekend as the Trump administration put further pressure on the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro.

On Monday, the United States’ designation of the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization , allegedly headed by Maduro, took effect. It’s another tactic by the White House as it engages in armed conflict against drug cartels.

The designation expands U.S. authority for potential strikes inside Venezuela.

U.S. officials told Reuters exclusively that a new phase of Venezuela-related operations is underway and that covert actions would likely come first.

“President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those re

See Full Page