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."