For the first time, a U.S. terrorist designation has targeted a state-linked foreign network, officially branding Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles, and its ties to the Nicolás Maduro government, as a focus in the United States’ counter-narcotics strategy.
Story Highlights
- The U.S. has designated Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist group.
- This marks the first time a Venezuelan state-linked cartel is labeled as a terrorist entity, highlighting direct ties to President Nicolás Maduro.
- Sanctions target the cartel’s financial networks, aiming to disrupt Maduro’s criminal regime and defend U.S. security.
- Venezuela’s government denies all allegations, dismissing the move as political interference, while experts warn of escalating diplomatic tensions.
U.S. Declares Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles a Terrorist Threat
The United States has designated Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group. This action, announced on November 24, 2025, directly targets a network that U.S. officials assert is deeply embedded within Venezuela’s military and government. The U.S. Department of State cited evidence of the cartel’s narcotics trafficking, support for other terrorist groups, and explicit ties to Nicolás Maduro’s regime. The move is designed to disrupt criminal operations threatening American security and emphasize the United States’ position against state-protected criminality.
This decision follows years of prior U.S. actions against Venezuelan criminal organizations. The Cartel de los Soles, named after the sun insignias worn by Venezuelan generals, began as a network of military officers trafficking drugs in the early 2000s. The U.S. Department of the Treasury asserts that the network became enmeshed in the state apparatus, overseen by high-ranking officials, including Maduro himself. Recent U.S. investigations, indictments, and sanctions have detailed collaboration between the cartel, the notorious Tren de Aragua, and the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, often with state protection. This escalation indicates the Trump administration’s commitment to combating foreign threats at their source.
Maduro Regime’s Criminal Empire Exposed
Venezuela’s economic and political crises have contributed to an environment where criminal organizations like the Cartel de los Soles can operate under government protection. With state institutions facing instability, illicit revenues have become a significant element of regime financial survival. The cartel’s influence extends beyond Venezuela’s borders, supporting transnational operations and collaborating with powerful Mexican cartels. The U.S. government’s actions are designed to restrict the financial lifelines of these groups, freeze assets, and expose the complicity of the Maduro regime. This marks a strategic shift in U.S. counterterrorism policy, recognizing the convergence of organized crime and terrorism in the Western Hemisphere as a direct threat to U.S. national security interests.
The designation is both a legal action and a political statement: the U.S. will not tolerate regimes that enable, profit from, or shield narco-terrorists. The Trump administration’s strategy uses terrorism designations against state-linked criminal groups, reinforcing a doctrine of zero tolerance for foreign regimes that threaten the rule of law and border security. The policy maintains support among those advocating for action to secure the U.S. border and promote stability in the region.
Sanctions, Denials, and Regional Consequences
With the formal designation, U.S. sanctions now restrict all financial transactions with Cartel de los Soles and its affiliates, freezing assets and increasing scrutiny of Venezuelan officials worldwide. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has initiated a coordinated effort to dismantle the cartel’s financial networks. However, the Maduro regime has categorically denied all allegations, dismissing the U.S. move as politically motivated interference. This response is consistent with the regime’s history of denials.
International aid organizations have expressed concerns regarding potential complications for humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts following the designations. The Trump administration maintains that defending U.S. security and constitutional order must be the primary consideration. The situation remains tense, with the risk of Venezuelan retaliation or further destabilization in the region. Experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlight that this policy shift redefines the lines between organized crime and terrorism, indicating a new phase in U.S. national security strategy. While some international observers question the ultimate effectiveness of such designations, the U.S. action is viewed as a necessary step to counter the growing convergence of criminal and terrorist threats in the Western Hemisphere.
https://twitter.com/rmhaley8/status/1990412908791017673
Sources:
U.S. Department of the Treasury: Treasury Sanctions Venezuelan Cartel Headed by Maduro
CSIS: When Crime Becomes Terror—Rethinking FTO Designation
U.S. Department of State: Terrorist Designations of Cartel de los Soles