WASHINGTON - The United States has officially designated the so-called Cartel de los Soles (“Cartel of the Suns”) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), granting U.S. agencies expanded powers to investigate, sanction, prosecute and disrupt the group. The designation, announced earlier this month by U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, is one of Washington’s most aggressive steps yet in its ongoing confrontation with the Maduro government.
The Cartel de los Soles is a term used by U.S. authorities to describe an alleged drug-trafficking network supposedly involving high-ranking Venezuelan officials. Washington claims President Nicolás Maduro himself sits at the top of the organization — a claim that has never been supported by verifiable evidence.
Caracas Responds: “Absurd and completely fabricated”
The Venezuelan government reacted sharply, calling the U.S. designation “belachelijk” (“ridiculous”) and denouncing it as a political move aimed at justifying further pressure on the country.
Officials in Caracas maintain that the Cartel de los Soles does not exist. According to Maduro, the U.S. is using the terrorism label as a pretext to gain influence over Venezuela’s massive oil reserves.
“This is Washington escalating political aggression, not fighting terrorism,” government sources in Caracas said.
A Move With Far-Reaching Consequences
By placing “Cartel de los Soles” on the terrorism list, the United States is, in practice, designating the entire Maduro administration as a terrorist enterprise. The U.S. does not recognize Maduro’s presidency, and the new listing significantly increases diplomatic tensions.
The designation allows U.S. authorities to:
freeze assets
block financial transactions
prosecute individuals associated with the alleged network
pressure foreign governments and companies to sever ties with Venezuela
Washington argues that the network has infiltrated the Venezuelan state and controls key institutions.
No Evidence Presented
Despite the sweeping claims, U.S. authorities have not presented concrete evidence publicly linking Maduro or his senior officials to an organized drug-trafficking cartel. Independent analysts note that accusations surrounding the “Cartel de los Soles” have long been based on fragmented intelligence, testimonies from defectors, and politically motivated claims.
Broader Geopolitical Context
The decision comes amid:
heightened regional tension in the Caribbean
recent U.S. military visibility near Venezuela
Washington’s continued refusal to acknowledge Maduro’s legitimacy
Venezuela argues that these actions form part of a broader strategy to isolate the country and increase U.S. leverage over its energy resources.
As geopolitical pressure mounts, regional observers warn that the U.S. terrorism designation — unprecedented in scope — may further complicate diplomatic efforts and increase instability in the region.