International

Gustavo Petro calls U.S. claims about ‘Cartel of the Suns’ a political fiction

Amid rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela, Colombian President Gustavo Petro denied the existence of the so-called Cartel of the Suns, a purported criminal group accused by Washington of infiltrating Caracas’ power structure since the 1990s to traffic drugs to the U.S.

“The Cartel of the Suns does not exist; it is a fictitious excuse used by the extreme right to overthrow governments that do not obey them,” the president wrote on his X account on Monday.

According to Petro, the real organization controlling cocaine trafficking in the region is a broader network he calls “the Drug Trafficking Board,” which he claims is composed of kingpins operating from Europe and the Middle East.

A few days ago, following attacks in Amalfi and Cali, Petro stated that the “Drug Trafficking Board” operates internationally as “a confederation of mafias” and called for these groups to be designated as terrorist organizations, which would allow them to be pursued anywhere in the world, including Bogotá.

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CNN reached out to the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. State Department for comment on Petro’s statements and is awaiting a response.

The U.S. recently designated the Cartel of the Suns as an international terrorist organization. According to the Treasury Department, this alleged criminal group has infiltrated the highest political, military, and judicial levels in Venezuela since the late 1990s to traffic drugs to the U.S.

From Caracas, senior officials have rejected the accusations. Diosdado Cabello Rondón, Venezuela’s Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, has called the Cartel of the Suns “a U.S. invention” and “a big lie used for manipulation.”

International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.