In a significant diplomatic escalation, the United States has officially designated the ‘Cartel de los Soles’ as a foreign terrorist group. This designation comes with added sanctions and alleges the involvement of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and senior government officials in international drug trafficking. Venezuela’s government swiftly condemned the move, branding it a “ridiculous” fabrication aimed at undermining their sovereignty.
US officials stated that the designation is a response to the group’s alleged role in smuggling illicit drugs into the US. The announcement arrives amid heightened US military presence in the Caribbean, sparking speculation about the administration’s intentions. However, sanctions experts note that the foreign terrorist organization designation does not legally sanction military action on its own.
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil strongly denounced the US State Department’s decision on Telegram, calling it a “new and ridiculous fabrication” against a “non-existent” entity. He further asserted that the US is employing “an infamous and vile lie” to pave the way for illegitimate intervention and seize Venezuela’s oil wealth, predicting the initiative’s inevitable failure, similar to past US efforts.
The US Treasury had previously labeled the group a ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’ in July, imposing financial restrictions. The ‘Cartel de los Soles’ name originates from the sun emblem traditionally worn by high-ranking Venezuelan military officers.