Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott has reached out to President Trump, urging further action against Venezuelan criminal organizations. In a letter sent on March 25, 2025, Senator Scott expressed his gratitude for the administration's recent decision to label the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as terrorists. He also called for the designation of two additional Venezuelan cartels, Cartel de los Soles and La Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM), as foreign terrorist organizations.

These groups are reportedly led by Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his deputy Diosdado Cabello Rondón. They are accused of trafficking drugs into the United States and committing human rights abuses that threaten U.S. national security.

President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have already implemented measures to hold the Maduro regime accountable, including reversing previous policies under President Biden and imposing a tariff on countries purchasing Venezuelan oil.

Senator Scott emphasized the need for continued evaluation of cartels operating within U.S. borders and highlighted the dangers posed by Cartel de los Soles and DGCIM. The Cartel de los Soles is accused of distributing cocaine across U.S. communities, while DGCIM is linked to human rights violations such as arbitrary detentions and torture in Venezuela.

A UN report from 2022 cited crimes against humanity committed by DGCIM, identifying numerous cases involving torture and other cruel treatments. In response, sanctions have been placed on DGCIM by the United States.

Senator Scott urged further action to counteract these threats, stressing the importance of designating these cartels as terrorist organizations to protect American citizens from drug-related harm.