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US to Designate Venezuela’s “Cartel de los Soles” as Terrorist Organisation
The US is set to label Venezuela’s “Cartel de los Soles” a foreign terrorist organisation amid heightened military activity in the Caribbean. Trump’s administration may pursue further operations against Maduro.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-24
US to Designate Venezuela’s “Cartel de los Soles” as Terrorist Organisation

The Trump administration is preparing to designate Venezuela’s so-called “Cartel de los Soles” as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO). The group, allegedly linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is reportedly composed of high-ranking military officers and officials involved in corruption, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities.

The move comes alongside a significant US military buildup in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela, raising concerns about potential direct action. While the administration has not confirmed the timing or scope of new operations, unnamed US officials told Reuters that covert operations could precede further steps, including an attempt to overthrow Maduro.

The term “Cartel de los Soles” originated in the 1990s to describe military officers who profited from drug trafficking. Over time, it has been used more broadly to include officials involved in illicit mining, fuel smuggling, and other illegal activities. The “suns” refer to the epaulettes of high-ranking military officers.

In 2020, the US Department of Justice indicted Maduro and his inner circle on charges including narcoterrorism. Maduro maintains that the US is seeking to topple him and asserts that the Venezuelan population and military will resist any such attempt.

The US campaign has already impacted international travel. Six airlines, including Spain’s Iberia, Portugal’s TAP, Chile’s LATAM, Colombia’s Avianca, and Brazil’s GOL, cancelled flights to Venezuela following US aviation warnings. Turkish Airlines also suspended flights from November 24 to 28.

Heightened tensions continue to put pressure on Caracas, with potential escalation prompting warnings from UN officials and international law scholars that any US strikes could constitute extrajudicial killings under international law.
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Venezuela

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