US Labels Maduro’s Cartel a Terrorist Group; Talks Possible

The United States plans to designate the Venezuelan drug cartel known as the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, a move that coincides with President Donald Trump‘s indication that discussions with the Venezuelan government may be on the horizon. This designation, effective on November 24, 2023, aims to facilitate more aggressive legal actions as the US increases its military presence in the Caribbean following a series of deadly confrontations at sea.

On Sunday, Trump stated he had not yet finalized his approach but acknowledged that the Venezuelan government has expressed interest in dialogue. “We may be having some discussions with Maduro and we’ll see how that turns out,” he remarked while returning to the White House from Florida. This announcement comes on the heels of a campaign involving lethal strikes against alleged drug-trafficking vessels, which have resulted in approximately 80 fatalities over the past two months.

In addition to the terrorist designation, the US will prohibit members of the Cartel de los Soles from entering the country and grant the government the authority to seize the cartel’s financial assets. Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, stated, “Based in Venezuela, the Cartel de los Soles is headed by Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking individuals of the illegitimate Maduro regime who have corrupted Venezuela’s military, intelligence, legislature, and judiciary.” He further emphasized that neither Maduro nor his associates represent the legitimate government of Venezuela.

The US previously labeled another Venezuelan group, Tren de Aragua, as a foreign terrorist organization in February, citing connections to drug-running operations. Until now, the Cartel de los Soles had not received the same designation, which aligns it with other global terrorist entities such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. This categorization allows for military and financial actions against the group, similar to those undertaken in the Middle East as part of the ongoing war on terror.

On the military front, a US strike group led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, has arrived in the Caribbean Sea. This bolstered presence raises speculation regarding potential military operations targeting Venezuela, reflecting heightened tensions in the region.

The US Treasury Department had previously identified the cartel as a specially designated global terrorist group in July, a designation that imposes financial sanctions and isolates the organization economically. According to Brian Nichols, who served as the top US State Department official for the western hemisphere during the Biden administration, the recent designation appears to be more politically motivated than based on new intelligence. “They are likely looking for more ways to justify military action if they decide to do so,” he noted.

Trump indicated earlier last week that he had “sort of made up my mind” regarding next steps with Venezuela but refrained from disclosing specifics. “I can’t tell you what it is, but we made a lot of progress with Venezuela in terms of stopping drugs from pouring in,” he stated aboard Air Force One.

As diplomatic and military strategies evolve, the situation remains fluid, with potential implications for both US foreign policy and the future of Venezuelan governance.