U.S. drug agents called ‘new cartel’

Venezuela said it would not allow U.S. agents to carry out counter-drug operations in the country, accusing the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration of being a “new cartel” that aids traffickers.

Spokesman Brian Penn said the U.S. Embassy categorically denies the accusation.

Washington has accused Venezuela of not cooperating in counter-drug efforts and says cocaine shipments are increasingly passing through the country from neighboring Colombia.

Justice Minister Pedro Carreno said Venezuela suspended cooperation with the DEA in 2005 after determining that “they were moving a large amount of drugs.”