What lies behind Washington’s decision to consider Venezuela’s most famous cartel terrorism.
In the most recent crackdown on the Venezuelan regime, the United States has formally designated the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) as Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)a decision that marks a turning point in diplomacy between the two countries. The announcement, made by the Secretary of State Marco Rubio and published in Federal Registerbecame operational on November 24, 2025.
The accusation against Maduro: narco-terrorism and support for organized crime
According to the White House, the Cartel de los Soles it is not just any criminal group, but a network deeply intertwined with the Venezuelan power elite, up to the top of the military, intelligence, parliament and judiciary. The US claims that the cartel provides material support to organizations already designated as terrorist, particularly the Train to Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel.
In a statement from Treasury DepartmentOFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) explained that the Cartel de los Soles is “driven” by Nicolás Maduro and by other senior exponents of his regime. The designation as “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” allows the United States to freeze assets, ban any type of financial transaction with the group, and criminalize support by American citizens.
Objectives of regional hegemony rather than the fight against drugs
The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, responsible for operations in the area of SOUTHCOM (United State Southern Command) declared that the qualification of terrorist opens up “new options” for the Pentagon, expanding the range of tools on which Washington can leverage. Indeed, numerous analysts interpret the move not only as an operation against drug trafficking, but also as part of a broader strategy to exercise pressure on Maduro and on his government, even with implicit threats of military escalation. The Caracas government categorically rejected the designation, calling it “ridiculous” and a “fabrication” put in place by the White House to justify “an illegitimate and illegal intervention” against Venezuela.
Criticism: “The cartel does not exist”
Not all observers agree with the US narrative. According to some analysts, the Cartel de los Soles it would not be a defined organization with a hierarchical structure, but rather a “concept” useful to describe the endemic corruption in the Venezuelan military ranks. Adam Isaacson, director for defense control at the Washington Office on Latin America, states that “there are no regular meetings, there is no structured chain of command”: in short, according to him it is not a cartel in the classic sense.
The broader context
This move fits in an escalation of tensions between the US and Venezuela. In recent months, the United States had already designated other Latin American groups as terrorist organizations, such as the aforementioned Train to Aragua.
Behind the scenes, this decision falls alongside a larger joint military operation: theOperation Southern Spear, a campaign launched by the Pentagon to combat narco-terrorism using a hybrid fleet (naval systems, robotics, surveillance) in the Caribbean. In recent weeks, this has carried out several targeted raids against the alleged boats belonging to the various cartels traveling through the Caribbean sea routes. This show of force is not just symbolic: it provides the United States with concrete capabilities to control a delicate region that is fundamental to the interests of the Trump administration.
However, condemnation from powers such as Russia and China suggests that the Venezuelan crisis could turn into a broader confrontation. It’s not just a war against a cartel, but a global game over sovereignty, resources and influence.
Symbolic choice or prelude to escalation?
The designation of Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization it represents much more than an operation to combat drug trafficking: it is a key piece of a US geopolitical strategy aimed at restoring a complex hegemony in the region.
The American choice marks a turning point. Washington seems to want to redefine not only its relationship with the Maduro regime, but its own projection of influence in Latin America. Whether it can maintain this pressure without falling into the trap of open escalation will depend on many factors: Venezuelan resistance, regional reactions, and diplomatic moves by global powers.
