US Designates Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles FTO

The United States formally designated Venezuela's Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organization, effective November 24, 2025. The U.S. alleges that Cartel of the Suns is headed by President Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials, involved in drug trafficking to the U.S. and Europe, and responsible for violence. This designation allows the United States to impose sweeping sanctions, seize assets, and penalize individuals or entities conducting business with the cartel. Venezuela's government, including Nicolás Maduro and Diosdado Cabello, has rejected the designation as a 'ridiculous' and 'new and ridiculous lie'. The Trump administration has escalated pressure on Venezuela, deploying a large naval task force to the Caribbean and conducting strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels, resulting in numerous deaths. The United States has also offered significant rewards for information leading to the capture of Nicolás Maduro and Diosdado Cabello. This move is seen as a way to further isolate Nicolás Maduro's government and potentially strengthen the U.S. case for military action in Venezuela.