CARACAS, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Venezuelan government on Monday rejected U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. Department of State intends to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, effective on Nov. 24.