US Tries to 'Discredit' Venezuelan Army with Drug Charges

Venezuela’s National Guard has come out in defense of its head, stating on Twitter, “We reject the campaign to discredit our Major General Nestor Reverol.” It appears the U.S. court wants to charge some Venezuelan officials with alleged drug trafficking crimes.

Mostly Venezuelan social media users have also expressed support for Reverol under a currently trending hashtag #NestorReverolSoldadoDeLaPatria.

#NestorReverolSoldadoDeLaPatria apoyo total y palante!

— Rita Villarroel (@RitaVillarroel) December 16, 2015

“Total support and onwards!”

#NestorReverolSoldadoDeLaPatria https://t.co/3KFeQO1X8Y

— GNB FANB (@GNBoficial) December 16, 2015

“Reverol reporting on the capture of two drug traffickers.”

A Reuters exclusive Tuesday reported that U.S. prosecutors are preparing to unveil drug trafficking charges against Reverol, citing “people familiar with the case.”

Venezuela’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino has also defended Reverol, stating, “Let this campaign of discrediting the Venezuelan Armed Forces and its leaders come to an end,” and adding a call for the “truth.”

Reuters said there was a sealed indictment pending in a federal court in Brooklyn, New York but that it was “unclear what the specific charges are against Reverol, or when the charges against him will be made public.”

Last month, the president of the Venezuela's National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, strongly criticized the actions of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for arresting two Venezuelan nationals in Haiti, describing it as a “kidnapping.”

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