U.S. formally Designates Venezuelan Military-Linked Cartel as Terrorist Organization
WASHINGTON – The U.S. government has officially designated the Cartel de los Soles – a criminal organization with deep ties to the Venezuelan military – as a terrorist organization, granting new authorities to target its members adn disrupt its operations. The move, announced recently, comes as the U.S. increases pressure on the Maduro regime and amid a heightened military presence in the Caribbean Sea.
The formal designation provides the United States with a broader range of tools to address alleged crimes committed by the cartel and those connected to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This includes potential sanctions, asset freezes, and expanded law enforcement cooperation. The action reflects growing U.S. concern over the cartel’s involvement in drug trafficking,violence,and its alleged support of the Maduro government,which Washington does not recognize.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated the designation will give the U.S. “a whole bunch of new options” to address Maduro’s alleged crimes,though he declined to detail specific plans. “Nothing is off the table, but nothing’s automatically on the table,” he said in an interview with OAN.
The designation coincides with a notable deployment of U.S.military assets to the Caribbean, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s most advanced aircraft carrier. This buildup began earlier this year and has fueled speculation about potential U.S. intervention in Venezuela, officially framed by the trump administration as a counterdrug operation.
During a recent interview with CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell,President Trump indicated that the situation in Venezuela was “about many things,” and suggested Maduro’s time in office was nearing its end. The U.S.-backed Venezuelan political opposition has also grown more vocal in its calls for Maduro’s removal.
The Cartel de los Soles, meaning “Cartel of the Suns,” is comprised of high-ranking Venezuelan military officials who allegedly control significant portions of the country’s drug trade. The group is accused of facilitating the shipment of cocaine and other illicit substances to the United States and other countries, using its influence within the military to protect its operations. The U.S. government has previously indicted numerous Venezuelan officials with ties to the cartel on drug trafficking and corruption charges.
