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By Sean Rayment
The US is poised to launch a direct attack against Venezuela following an announcement that a cartel allegedly run by the country’s president will be designated a Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement on Sunday announcing that the US intends to list the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) from 24 November.
The move means that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will effectively be designated a terrorist as well, given that the US alleges he heads the Cartel de los Soles — an accusation he strongly denies.
This is President Donald Trump’s latest effort to reduce drug trafficking and increase pressure on Maduro, as the US considers whether to take military action inside the country.
An FTO designation allows the US government to crack down more aggressively on the group and its alleged associates by making it illegal to knowingly offer them support.
As part of Washington’s continuing pressure on the oil-rich South American state, a naval task force composed of the USS Gerald R. Ford and other ships has arrived in the region.
Since early September, US strikes have killed at least 80 people in 20 attacks on small boats accused of transporting narcotics in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
The US Treasury Department has previously placed sanctions on the Cartel de los Soles, but the new FTO designation is an escalated approach that unlocks stronger powers.
“Cartel de los Soles” is a term used by the US to describe an alleged criminal organisation involved in activities such as drug trafficking and illegal mining. Washington claims it is led by the Venezuelan president and includes members of his inner circle, including military officials.
The US has not published evidence publicly of Maduro’s direct involvement in drug trafficking, and some critics have claimed that Washington’s actions breach international law.
But the characterisation of Maduro as a drug trafficker is seen as a way for the US to potentially justify targeting him or those close to him as part of its campaign against alleged narcotics networks.
Speculation is mounting about whether the US may strike land targets inside Venezuela as part of efforts to increase pressure on Maduro.
In October, Maduro accused the US of “fabricating a new war” after it ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Caribbean.
President Trump has said he has “sort of” made up his mind about how to proceed, but has not yet announced his decision. He told reporters on Sunday night that he had asked Rubio to discuss the situation with Congress.
He added that “we may be having some discussions” with Maduro and that “Venezuela wants to talk,” but provided no further details on when such talks might occur.
The Trump administration has taken an aggressive approach toward Maduro, who returned to office in January following allegations of vote-rigging.
“Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela’s legitimate government,” Rubio said in his statement.
In August, the US government increased its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50m (£37.2m), alleging he is a leading “narco-trafficker.”
The US has also criticised Venezuela for failing to address cartel activity, which Trump claims is responsible for an influx of fentanyl into the US. There is no evidence to suggest fentanyl comes from Venezuela, as it is primarily produced in Mexico with precursor chemicals largely sourced from Asia.
The Venezuelan government acknowledges some cocaine trafficking occurs in the country, but there are bigger trafficking hubs in the region. Cocaine is predominantly produced in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia, according to a 2024 report by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). However Colombian drug cartels are known to operate in Venezuela and the two countries are regarded as close allies.
The administration has previously designated cartels in other countries as terrorist groups.
