CARACAS - The Venezuelan government on Monday rejected US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's designation of the "nonexistent" Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization.

In a statement shared on social media by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, the government condemned the move as a "vile lie," accusing the United States of using it as a pretext to justify an "illegitimate and illegal intervention against Venezuela."

The statement urged the US government to rectify this policy of aggression and threats, adding that the Venezuelan people will know how to safeguard peace and the highest interests of the country.

On Nov 16, Rubio announced that the US Department of State intends to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, effective on Nov 24.  

Also on Monday, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples' Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) on "categorically" rejected the US designation of the "non-existent" Cartel de los Soles as a "terrorist organization".

ALSO READ: Venezuelan president urges permanent vigil, mobilization against US threats

In a statement, the regional bloc said that the US move aims to justify aggression against the South American country and force a change of government.

The US policy of aggression and threats against Venezuela has been strongly and almost unanimously rejected by the international community, it added.

The bloc urged the United States to stop the policy against the region, particularly against Venezuela, since such actions cause instability, falsehoods, and unnecessary risks to regional coexistence.

ALBA-TCP is an intergovernmental organization that aims for social, political, and economic integration of Latin American and Caribbean countries.