The U.S. State Department has announced that the Cartel de los Soles, a group Washington claims is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, will be formally designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization on 24 November. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued the statement on Sunday, saying the designation marks a new phase in the United States’ campaign against what it calls Venezuela’s “narco-terrorism network.” The decision effectively labels Maduro a terrorist, a move the Venezuelan leader has strongly rejected as politically motivated.
The announcement comes at a moment of heightened tension between Washington and Caracas. President Donald Trump told reporters that he has “sort of” made up his mind on what further action to take but has not yet delivered a final decision. He added that he asked Rubio to begin consultations with Congress, signaling that broader legislative involvement may be expected in the coming days. Despite the escalation, Trump also said “Venezuela wants to talk,” suggesting that diplomatic engagement remains possible even as pressure intensifies.
The Cartel de los Soles, or “Cartel of the Suns,” is a term U.S. agencies have used for years to describe an alleged drug-trafficking network involving senior Venezuelan military officers. The name refers to the sun-shaped insignia worn by top-ranking commanders. U.S. officials have long claimed that these networks oversee cocaine shipments from Colombia and operate with the protection of state institutions. Maduro and his government have forcefully denied the allegations, calling them fabrications designed to undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty.
The dispute over drug-trafficking claims has been central to U.S.–Venezuelan tensions for nearly two decades. In the mid-2000s, Washington began sanctioning Venezuelan military officials accused of trafficking ties. In 2015, the Obama administration declared Venezuela a national security threat, opening the door to broader sanctions. Under President Trump, relations deteriorated further as the U.S. recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president in 2019 and expanded economic, diplomatic, and travel restrictions against Maduro allies. In recent years, U.S. prosecutors have unsealed multiple indictments against Venezuelan generals, reinforcing Washington’s position that the Maduro administration is tied to drug-trafficking networks.
The planned terrorist designation represents one of the most significant escalations to date. It would grant U.S. agencies wide-ranging authority to target individuals linked to the group, freeze assets, bar financial interactions, and coordinate international law-enforcement actions. Critics warn that the move could complicate humanitarian operations inside Venezuela, while supporters argue it is necessary to dismantle what they describe as a state-sponsored criminal enterprise.
Reactions have been divided. The Maduro government denounced the decision as an attack aimed at destabilizing the country. Several Republican lawmakers praised the designation, calling it overdue, while some Democrats urged caution and warned against steps that could lead to military escalation. Analysts say the decision may push Venezuela closer to its allies, including Russia, China, and Iran, all of which have condemned U.S. intervention in Latin America.
With the designation scheduled to take effect on 24 November, Washington faces a critical moment. The White House is weighing further actions while also signaling that dialogue may still be possible. Whether the unfolding situation leads to negotiation or confrontation remains uncertain, but the latest announcement underscores the deepening divide between the U.S. government and Nicolás Maduro’s administration.
