The Venezuelan government on Monday rejected what it called a “ridiculous” US plan to designate the “nonexistent” Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organisation, ahead of Washington’s expected designation later in the day.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this month his country would designate the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organisation for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the US.

The Trump administration, which alleges the cartel is made up of high-ranking officials, has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading the group, which he denies.

The move comes as Maduro faces escalating pressure from US President Donald Trump via a massive US military build-up in the Caribbean. It has also raised some concern that the US may seek to use the designation of the group to justify military action, though sanctions experts said the statute does not authorise such a move.

Maduro and his government have always denied any involvement in crime and have accused the US of seeking regime change because of a desire to control Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

“Venezuela categorically, firmly, and absolutely rejects the new and ridiculous fabrication by the Secretary of the US Department of State, Marco Rubio, which designates the non-existent Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organisation,” said Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil on his Telegram account.