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US labels Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organization in move targeting Maduro
The United States will designate Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective November 24, the State Department announced Sunday-a move that implicates President Nicolás Maduro as its alleged leader. Maduro has repeatedly denied involvement in the group, which Washington accuses of drug trafficking, illegal mining, and other criminal activities.
The designation, revealed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, grants the U.S. broader legal authority to target the cartel and its associates, criminalizing any material support. While the U.S. Treasury has previously sanctioned the group, the FTO label represents a significant escalation, enabling harsher penalties under counterterrorism laws.
Military pressure and diplomatic tensions rise
The Trump administration's decision aligns with its broader campaign against Maduro, who has faced U.S. accusations of election fraud since his disputed 2019 inauguration. In August, Washington raised a bounty for Maduro's capture to $50 million, alleging his role as a "narco-trafficker." The U.S. has not publicly presented evidence directly linking Maduro to drug trafficking but has framed the cartel's activities as justification for potential military intervention.
Speculation about U.S. airstrikes inside Venezuela has intensified since October, when Maduro accused Washington of "fabricating a new war" after the deployment of the USS Gerald Ford to the Caribbean. The U.S. has already conducted 21 airstrikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels near Venezuela and Colombia since September, killing at least 83 people, according to Pentagon reports.
"Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela's legitimate government," Rubio stated, reinforcing the U.S. position that Maduro's administration lacks democratic legitimacy.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Unverified claims and regional drug trade dynamics
The U.S. has tied Venezuela's cartel activity to the fentanyl crisis, though experts note the synthetic opioid is primarily produced in Mexico using precursors from Asia. Venezuela acknowledges limited cocaine transit-mostly originating in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia-but rejects claims it is a major hub. The U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, the largest in decades, signals a shift toward direct action against alleged trafficking networks.
President Donald Trump hinted at ongoing deliberations, telling reporters Sunday that he had "sort of" decided on a course of action but declined to specify. He confirmed directing Rubio to brief Congress and suggested potential talks with Maduro, stating, "Venezuela wants to talk," without elaborating on timing or conditions.
Broader implications
The FTO designation mirrors past U.S. actions against cartels in Mexico and Colombia, but the explicit targeting of a sitting president's alleged criminal network marks an unprecedented step. Analysts warn the move could further destabilize Venezuela, where Maduro's government already faces economic collapse, mass migration, and international isolation.
