Updated

Venezuelan officials are denouncing a report that links the head of the socialist South American country's parliament to the drug trade.

Two Spanish-language newspapers reported Monday that the chief bodyguard of National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello has gone to the United States with information implicating him.

The Spanish publication ABC and Miami-based El Nuevo Herald reported that Leamsy Salazar has fled to the U.S. and is preparing to testify that his boss heads a drug cartel made up of political and military officials.

U.S. officials on Tuesday declined to confirm or deny the report. In Venezuela, loyalist Congressman Pedro Carreno took to Twitter to accuse the CIA of buying off Salazar. Cabello wrote on Twitter that every attack only strengthens his spirit and resolve.