JUSTICE DEPARTMENT/VENEZUELA: “Two U.S. senators called on the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday [1-24-18] to investigate allegations of drug trafficking by senior officials in the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as the country struggles with economic crisis.
In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions seen by Reuters, Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democrat Robert Menendez said they were concerned about possible connections between Maduro’s government and drug trafficking organizations and wanted an investigation ‘in order to better understand the nexus between criminal actors and members of Maduro’s inner circle.’
Despite being a major oil producing country, Venezuela is undergoing a severe economic and social crisis, with millions suffering food and medicine shortages, hyperinflation and growing insecurity…
In their letter, they raised concerns that the situation in Venezuela could destabilize the region.
The Venezuelan Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In the past, Maduro has dismissed accusations about drug trafficking links as a smear campaign by Washington, adding that the United States is to blame for the drug trade because it is such a large market for illegal narcotics… A Justice Department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter, which was sent on Wednesday.”
-Patricia Zengerle, “U.S. senators want probe of drug trafficking tied to Venezuela government,” Reuters, Jan. 24, 2018 09:00am