Southern Command eyes Venezuela’s illicit connections and Iranian patronage
by Abraham Mahshie, Defense Reporter
| August 16, 2020 06:30 AM
Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela is relying on illicit networks that range from drug traffickers to America's adversaries to hold on to power, U.S. Southern Command’s Adm. Craig Faller said Thursday.
“The center of gravity for the Maduro regime’s illicit activities are Cuba, Russia, increasingly Iran,†Faller said on an Atlantic Council virtual discussion Thursday, describing activities that include illegal gold mining and sanctions evasion.
In April, President Trump authorized Faller to initiate an enhanced counternarcotics effort across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
Ships and surveillance aircraft fanned out across the region, working with partner nations to seize drugs moving north and rob criminal organizations, including those connected to the Venezuelan government, of more than $1.5 billion in finances, estimated Southcom.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/southern-command-eyes-venezuelas-illicit-connections-and-iranian-patronage
