US Labels Venezuelan 'Cartel' as Terrorist Organization

Escalating Tensions Between US and Venezuela

The United States has officially designated the so-called Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, marking a significant escalation in the already tense relations between Washington and Caracas. This move grants American authorities expanded powers to target the organization, which the US claims is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro himself.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation earlier this month, stating that 'the Suns Cartel has Venezuela in its grip' and alleging that other high-ranking members of Maduro's government are part of the terrorist group. Effectively, this designation places the entire Venezuelan government on the US terrorism list.

Venezuela's Strong Rejection

The Maduro government has vehemently denied the allegations, with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza calling the decision 'ridiculous and absurd' and insisting the cartel doesn't exist. Maduro has accused the US of using this escalation as a pretext to gain control over Venezuela's vast oil reserves, which are among the largest in the world.

The US doesn't recognize Maduro's regime and has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of what it calls 'drug criminal' Maduro. This latest move represents the most serious escalation in US-Venezuela relations in years.

Expanded Military Presence in the Region

Tensions between Venezuela and the US have been mounting for months. Since September, the US military has destroyed more than twenty boats that the Trump administration claims were transporting drugs, resulting in the deaths of over eighty crew members.

The US has also significantly expanded its military presence in the Caribbean. This month, Washington deployed the world's largest aircraft carrier to the region, stating its mission is to 'detect, map, and disrupt illegal activities in the region.' This marks the first time in over thirty years that the US has deployed such substantial military power in South America.

US Defense Secretary James Hegseth stated last week that the terrorism designation 'will provide a whole range of new options' to pressure Maduro, though he declined to specify what those options might be or whether the US military is considering strikes on targets within Venezuela.

International Reactions and Support

Colombian President Gustavo Petro took to social media platform X to state that the cartel doesn't exist, calling it 'a fictional excuse from the extreme right to overthrow governments.' However, several Latin American countries with right-wing governments, including Argentina, Paraguay, and Ecuador, have followed the US lead and placed the cartel on their terrorism lists.

The designation represents a significant shift in US counterterrorism policy. Previously, only groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda held the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation. Since Trump returned to office, he has designated eight Latin American criminal organizations as terrorist groups involved in drug trafficking, fulfilling a long-standing campaign promise.

Historical Context of the 'Cartel of the Suns'

The term 'Cartel of the Suns' first emerged in the 1990s, referring to the sun-shaped insignias worn by high-ranking Venezuelan military officials allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Mike LaSusa, an expert on organized crime, told the BBC that 'the name quickly became used for all Venezuelan officials with alleged ties to drug trafficking, regardless of whether they were part of the same organization.'

InSight Crime, a think tank specializing in organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean, has previously cautioned against oversimplifying the situation. They noted that it's more accurate to describe the phenomenon as 'a system of corruption where military and political officials benefit from cooperating with drug traffickers' rather than a traditional cartel structure.

Experts have emphasized to various news outlets that the Cartel of the Suns is fundamentally different from organizations like Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel or Colombia's Medellín Cartel. One analyst noted, 'It's a system of contacts and relationships—there isn't one person in charge like in traditional cartels.'

The terrorism designation comes amid Venezuela's ongoing economic crisis. Despite having the world's largest proven oil reserves, the country faces hyperinflation, widespread poverty, and mass emigration. The US action represents the latest chapter in a long-standing confrontation between Washington and Caracas that shows no signs of abating.

Sources: US State Department, BBC News, InSight Crime