CELAC Ministers Discuss U.S. Actions Against Drug Cartels
A small assembly of foreign ministers from the CELAC bloc convened on Monday morning. The focus? A “deep reflection” on the United States’ ongoing operations aimed at tackling drug cartels in Caribbean waters.
CELAC, which stands for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, comprises 33 nations and was established in Caracas in 2011. The bloc, notably, does not include the U.S. or Canada, and lacks any enforcement mechanisms. Currently, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro presides over the CELAC’s rotating committee. The outcomes of their meetings tend to be mostly declaratory.
Over the weekend, Yolanda Villavicencio, Colombia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, called for an emergency meeting. This was prompted by the U.S. positioning three missile-equipped destroyers and other military assets in the Caribbean, actions taken under Donald Trump’s administration to combat drug trafficking.
“We hope this space encourages open discussions about our concerns related to recent military activities in the Caribbean and their potential implications for regional peace and security,” said the Colombian Foreign Office. The goal is to enhance communication and cooperation among nations, acknowledging that responses to cross-border challenges need to be coordinated.
In recent days, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government members have voiced fears, claiming the U.S. intends to “invade” Venezuela, aiming to oust Maduro from power. Over the last decade, Maduro has maintained power through numerous contested elections, and U.S. authorities have implicated him in various narcoterrorism accusations. He’s long been suspected of being linked to the “Sands” cartel, a major player in international cocaine trafficking operating out of Venezuela.
In July, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant classified the Sands cartel as a terrorist organization. Soon after, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced an increase in the bounty for information leading to Maduro’s capture, now ranging from $25 million to $50 million.
Minister Villavicencio, leading the virtual meeting, urged CELAC to resist the deployment of U.S. troops and to be wary of potential military interventions. She called on the UN Security Council and General Assembly to act promptly on local matters and uphold transparency and international law.
“Strengthening peace in our region doesn’t mean ignoring our internal issues or downplaying the severity of organized crime. We must address these through judicial cooperation and mutual trust,” she stated. “CELAC was founded to express its unique voice. We must speak up without hesitation now; we disapprove of any interventionist mindset.”
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil, also in attendance, likened the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean to the historical tensions during the Cuban missile crisis. He condemned these actions as “rude and unjust,” claiming they represent a misconstrued narrative against Maduro, who leads the Sands cartel.
“We call upon the international community to safeguard the peace in our region. Creating military tensions under the guise of fighting drug trafficking will lead to widespread instability,” he said. “This isn’t solely about Venezuela; it threatens the entire region, with unmeasurable consequences ahead.”
Maduro has responded by mobilizing civilian forces, aiming to prepare the nation for what he views as an impending U.S. “invasion.” He has even raised alarms with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding what he perceives as escalating threats from U.S. actions against Venezuela. His government has been communicating concerns about these “hostile behaviors” to various state delegations.
Meanwhile, countries like Argentina, Paraguay, and Ecuador have publicly labeled the Sands cartel as a terrorist organization. Interestingly, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro claims that the cartel is a fictional construct, used by right-leaning governments to undermine those who resist them.
Petro, the first leftist leader of Colombia, has previously advocated for the legalization of cocaine, equating its dangers to that of sugar. Reports suggest that cocaine production in Colombia hit an all-time high this year, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, with a 53% increase noted.
In the face of controversies, Petro’s former foreign minister, Alvaro Leyva, penned letters alleging that Petro may be grappling with issues of substance use, although he didn’t specify which drugs were involved. He called for an investigation into these claims by the Colombian legislature.
