Central American Country Is Latest to Accuse Venezuela of Being a 'Narco-State'

Costa Rica's Minister of Public Security, Mario Zamora, accused the Venezuelan government on Tuesday of operating as a "narco-state" and warned domestic political groups and trade organizations allegedly linked to the Maduro regime to "take precautions."

"The current international geopolitical context shows us that Venezuela's narco-government, through the Cartel de los Soles, has had significant presence in our country," Zamora said in a video statement released by the Ministry of Security.

He urged Costa Rican entities with ties to Venezuela to recognize "their correlation with individuals linked to the world of drug trafficking" and warned that "these connections pose a regional risk to populations fighting against narcotrafficking."

Costa Rica has maintained limited diplomatic relations with Venezuela since 2018, when former President Carlos Alvarado's administration refused to recognize Nicolás Maduro's reelection, EFE points out. There is currently no ambassador or high-level diplomatic staff in Caracas.

Zamora's comments come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Washington has accused Maduro of leading the Cartel de los Soles, which U.S. officials describe as a criminal organization linked to drug trafficking and terrorism.

In response, the United States has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and 10 F-35 fighter jets to a base in Puerto Rico. The U.S. State Department has also raised its reward for information leading to Maduro's capture to $50 million.

The Venezuelan government has rejected the allegations, accusing Washington of attempting to provoke "regime change." Maduro has denied the existence of state-backed drug trafficking networks, claiming the U.S. is using counternarcotics operations as a pretext for aggression.

Costa Rica's statement follows growing international coordination against Venezuela. The United States recently announced a broader strategy targeting the Cartel de los Soles, with support from Argentina, Paraguay, Ecuador, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. Argentina formally added the cartel to its terrorism-financing watchlist, aligning with Washington's designation of the group as a transnational criminal organization.

Zamora concluded his remarks by reaffirming Costa Rica's commitment to regional security and warned that entities tied to Venezuela "must understand the risks of their associations" amid increasing international pressure on Maduro's government.