Archive · 17 Nov 2025
US Designates Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as FTO, Escalating Pressure
The United States is adding a powerful drug-trafficking group in Venezuela, called the 'Cartel de los Soles', to its list of terrorist organizations.
They say this group is run by Venezuela's president and helps other bad groups sell drugs in the US and Europe.
The US wants to stop this group from getting money and moving around easily.
At the same time, the US military is attacking boats they think are carrying drugs from Venezuela.
The US Department of State will designate Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on November 24.
The US alleges the cartel is led by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and senior regime officials, infiltrating state institutions.
Cartel de los Soles is accused of supporting violent criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, involved in drug trafficking to the US and Europe.
The US aims to cut off the cartel's international financing and movements, countering narcotrafficking and terrorist-linked groups.
The US military conducted its 21st strike on an alleged drug-trafficking Venezuelan boat in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday.
- Who
- United States Department of State, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Cartel de los Soles, Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa Cartel, US Southern Command
- What
- The US Department of State intends to designate the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, aiming to cut off its financing and curb its operations. This coincides with the US military conducting its 21st strike on alleged Venezuelan drug-trafficking boats.
- When
- Designation effective November 24, 2025. Article published November 17, 2025. Military strike occurred on Sunday.
- Where
- Venezuela, International waters in the eastern Pacific, Caribbean Sea
- Why
- The US alleges the Cartel de los Soles, controlled by Maduro and senior officials, supports terrorist violence and drug trafficking into the US and Europe, deeply infiltrating Venezuelan state institutions. The US military actions aim to combat illicit narcotics smuggling and protect national security.
United States Government
Venezuelan Government (implied by denial)
Allegations against Cartel de los Soles
United States Government
The Cartel de los Soles, allegedly led by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and senior regime officials, is deeply infiltrated in Venezuelan state institutions and provides support to criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, engaging in drug trafficking and terrorist violence.
Venezuelan Government (implied by denial)
The accusations are considered absurd by Venezuela, though no direct quote is provided in this article.
US Military Actions in the Caribbean
United States Government
US military strikes on Venezuelan vessels are aimed at combating illicit narcotics smuggling and protecting national security interests.
Venezuelan Government (implied by denial)
Venezuela views the US military presence and actions as a pretext for regime change, though not explicitly stated in this article, it is a common stance attributed to them in similar contexts.
- Designation Effective Date
- November 24, 2025
- Designated Group
- Cartel de los Soles
- Alleged Leader
- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
- Alleged Associates
- Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa Cartel
- US Goal
- Cut off financing, curb movements, counter narcotrafficking and terrorist-linked groups.
- Recent US Military Action
- 21st strike on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday.
