Spain (through VOX) calls for suspending the protocol with Cuba over its support for Maduro linked to the “Cartel of the Suns”
The Spanish political party VOX has urged the Government of Spain and the European Union (EU) to suspend or cancel the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba, arguing that Cuba’s support for Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela violates the democratic and human rights principles established in the agreement.
VOX even suggests designating the self-styled “Cartel of the Suns,” linked to Maduro, as a terrorist organization.
“The Cartel of the Suns is a criminal organization directly involved in drug trafficking, extortion, kidnappings, disappearances, murders, and other very serious forms of organized violence,” said VOX senator Ángel Pelayo during the motion presented by the parliamentary group in the Spanish Senate.
This concerns the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the EU (and therefore Spain) and Cuba, which sets conditions based on respect for values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
VOX argues that Cuba’s explicit support for Maduro and criminal structures such as the “Cartel of the Suns” violates these principles and therefore justifies triggering Article 85 of the agreement, which provides for its suspension or revision in cases of breach of its fundamental clauses.
The proposal calls on Brussels to classify the Cartel of the Suns as a criminal organization operating in some EU member states and “directly linked to drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, targeted assassinations,” and other forms of organized violence.
Support for Maduro’s illegitimate regime: VOX claims that Cuba sustains and protects an “illegal and coup-driven” regime like Maduro’s, which clashes with the values supposedly upheld by the agreement.
Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organization: VOX advocates for designating the Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist group, which would entail economic sanctions and enhanced European police and judicial cooperation against it.
Violation of democratic and human rights principles: According to VOX, Cuban support is “incompatible” with the foundations of the Dialogue Agreement, which requires respect for and promotion of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Formal suspension of the Agreement: By applying Article 85, the protocol could be frozen, interrupting cooperation and official dialogue between the EU and Cuba.
Economic and legal sanctions: If the Cartel of the Suns is included as a terrorist organization, mechanisms would be activated such as asset freezes, bans on financial services, and greater international judicial cooperation.
Heightened diplomatic tension: The measure would reflect a hardening of EU policy toward Cuba, including new fronts of political pressure against the Castro regime.
The right-wing political group explains that “the inclusion of the Cartel of the Suns in the list of terrorist organizations implies, on the one hand, the freezing of funds and other financial assets or economic resources.
As well as ensuring that no funds, financial assets, economic resources, financial services, or related services are made available to them, directly or indirectly; and, on the other hand, the police and judicial cooperation of EU member states in criminal matters.”
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