U.S. Designates Cartel de los Soles as Foreign Terrorist Organization Amid Rising Tensions with Venezuela
The Trump administration is intensifying its campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by labeling the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organization. This designation, set to be announced on Monday, underscores the administration’s efforts to combat drug trafficking from Venezuela and has significant implications for U.S. foreign policy in the region.
Key Points / What’s New
- The Cartel de los Soles, alleged to be led by Maduro, is not a traditional cartel.
- This move coincides with discussions around potential U.S. military actions in Venezuela.
- The designation adds to the Trump administration’s strategy to combat drug trafficking that allegedly supports terrorist activities.
Details of the Designation
The imminent designation of the Cartel de los Soles marks a significant escalation in U.S. efforts against narcotrafficking attributed to Maduro’s regime. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously labeled the organization as “responsible for terrorist violence” across the Western Hemisphere. The designation reflects mounting concerns about drug trafficking into the U.S. and its associated violence.
The classification comes amid ongoing debates about the potential military options under consideration by Trump, who has not dismissed the possibility of engaging in direct military action against Venezuela. Recent military operations, including strikes against boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking, have already resulted in significant fatalities.
Understanding the Cartel de los Soles
The term “Cartel de los Soles” emerged in the 1990s and was initially used to describe high-ranking Venezuelan military officers profiting from drug trade. Over the years, its application has broadened to include other government officials as corruption spread under both Hugo Chávez and Maduro. The name references the sun insignia worn by military leaders.
In 2020, the U.S. Justice Department indicted Maduro and his top associates on serious charges like narcoterrorism, positioning the Cartel de los Soles as a prominent drug trafficking entity. However, experts caution that it does not function like a classic organization, lacking a formal structure or clear membership.
Reactions to the Designation
The Venezuelan government has denied the existence of the Cartel de los Soles, dismissing the U.S. accusations as unfounded claims aimed at justifying intervention. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the designation would offer multiple “new options” for addressing the Maduro administration, although specifics were not disclosed.
Officials maintain that they believe Maduro’s hold on power is unsustainable, while Maduro’s administration has appealed for direct communication with the U.S., indicating heightened tensions. The escalating conflict raises questions about the U.S. strategy in the region and its implications for Venezuelan democracy.
Background
Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela have been fraught, particularly as the Trump administration pursues aggressive measures to undermine Maduro’s regime. In 2020, an indictment implicated top Venezuelan officials, highlighting collaboration with Colombian insurgents to traffic cocaine into the U.S. Under Trump, the administration has designated several Latin American drug trafficking organizations as foreign terrorist entities, a notable shift in labeling strategies that typically targets groups like ISIS or al-Qaida.
Maduro’s regime faces numerous allegations related to human rights abuses and election fraud, making the situation increasingly complex as the U.S. considers its next moves in a country grappling with economic collapse and political unrest.
