US SHOULD BLAME ITSELF FOR DRUG MESS UNDER TRUMP: VENEZUELA

Venezuela's Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol Saturday (Sunday, July 12, 2020 in Manila) rejected the statements by US President Donald Trump which accused Venezuela of promoting drug trafficking, teleSUR reported. “Venezuela has and will continue to fight against drug trafficking and will continue to ensure prevention and international cooperation," Reverol emphasized.

In the last 10 years, the trafficking of heroin and meth increased in the US, according to a United Nations (UN) report, but UN experts clarified that Venezuela has no involvement in the illegal trade. The US has the highest use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the world. In 2019, over 70,237 deaths in the US were caused by a drug overdose.

"Trump's administration pretends to blame Venezuela for the US reality. This strategy against our nation is not new, it had already implemented it in 2007 against former President Hugo Chavez," Reverol stressed.

The strategy, promoted by the US, seeks to demonize Venezuela in order to back a military invasion in the country. The accusations were made at an electoral event in Florida to promote the flagging electoral chances of US President Trump.