U.S. Increases Pressure on Venezuela with Terror Designation
With tensions escalating between the U.S. and Venezuela, the Trump administration plans to designate the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. This move, aimed at intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, is part of the broader U.S. campaign against drug trafficking, despite the cartel not being a formal entity.
The designation is expected on Monday and is a continuation of the Trump administration’s efforts to combat drug trafficking in the U.S. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused the Cartel de los Soles of being “responsible for terrorist violence” in the Western Hemisphere. This marks a significant step in the administration’s approach, as it evaluates possible military actions against Venezuela.
The term Cartel de los Soles dates back to the 1990s when it was used to describe high-ranking Venezuelan military officers involved in drug trafficking. Over time, it has expanded to include police, government officials, and other illicit activities. The “suns” refer to the epaulettes on the uniforms of military officers.
In 2020, the U.S. Justice Department indicted Maduro and his associates on narcoterrorism charges, branding the organization as a drug-trafficking group under Maduro’s leadership. However, Adam Isaacson from the Washington Office on Latin America clarifies, “It is not a group. It’s not like a group that people would ever identify themselves as members.”
Expanding the Terror Label
Previously reserved for groups like ISIS and al-Qaida, the foreign terrorist organization label was applied to eight Latin American criminal organizations in February. The administration has accused these groups of operating drug-trafficking boats, but evidence remains sparse. The military actions, which began near Venezuela and extended to the eastern Pacific, aim to halt the flow of narcotics to American cities.
Many view these military maneuvers as an attempt to challenge the Venezuelan ruling party’s long-standing power. The U.S.-backed Venezuelan opposition has reignited its efforts to remove Maduro from office amid the ongoing U.S. counterdrug operation.
Hegseth Discusses “New Options”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned that the designation would offer the U.S. “a whole bunch of new options” to address the situation with Maduro. However, details on these options remain undisclosed. Trump administration officials continue to explore various military and non-military strategies, with a belief that Maduro’s regime is “not sustainable,” as a senior official noted.
Intelligence reports suggest increasing anxiety among Venezuelan officials as U.S. strikes persist. Trump, satisfied with the strikes’ impact, has yet to authorize direct talks with Maduro.
Indictment’s Allegations
The 2020 indictment accuses Maduro and key officials of conspiring with Colombian rebels to “flood the United States with cocaine,” using the drug trade as a “weapon against America.” Despite denials from Maduro, the U.S. has doubled the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million.
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the Cartel de los Soles, citing Maduro’s use of government and military power to aid the cartel’s drug trafficking operations. Connections with Venezuelan and Mexican criminal organizations have also been alleged.
