The United States government has taken a significant step in its escalating confrontation with Venezuela by designating the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, a move that could authorize military action on Venezuelan soil without requiring congressional approval.
Official Designation and Key Announcements
Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the significant announcement on Sunday, November 16, revealing that the United States will formally designate Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization this month. The US government alleges that the cartel is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking officials within his administration.
In a strongly worded press release, the State Department explicitly stated that "Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela's legitimate government". The department further accused the cartel of collaborating with other designated terrorist organizations, specifically naming Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel.
The official designation becomes effective on November 24, according to the State Department's announcement. This development comes amid a noticeable increase in US military presence throughout the Caribbean region, highlighted by the arrival of the world's largest aircraft carrier on the same Sunday the announcement was made.
Escalating Tensions and Military Implications
Tensions between US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro have intensified significantly as American forces continue to target alleged drug-trafficking operations. Over the recent weekend, the US conducted its 21st known strike against what they identified as a drug boat operating in the region.
President Trump suggested on Sunday that the terrorist organization designation provides the US military with legal authority to target Maduro's assets and infrastructure inside Venezuela. "It allows us to do that, but we haven't said we're going to do that," Trump told reporters, while hinting at possible diplomatic channels. "We may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we'll see how that turns out."
The president notably indicated that he doesn't believe his administration requires congressional authorization for potential military actions inside Venezuela. Trump expressed his preference for keeping lawmakers informed without giving them actual approval power over such decisions.
Legal Framework and International Ramifications
The Foreign Terrorist Organization designation represents one of the State Department's most serious counterterrorism measures. Under this classification, it becomes illegal for US persons to knowingly provide "material support or resources" to the designated organization, while representatives and members face entry bans into the United States.
Congress has a seven-day review period after being formally notified of the designation. According to State Department procedures, the designation takes effect automatically "in the absence of Congressional action to block it" following this review period.
This latest action follows the US Treasury Department's July sanctions against Cartel de los Soles, when it was deemed a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" organization. The Treasury Department alleged at that time that the cartel had "provided material support to Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel".
The cartel's distinctive name derives from the sun insignias commonly displayed on the uniforms of Venezuelan military officials, according to Treasury Department documentation. In a previous escalation, Attorney General Pam Bondi had offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to face US drug charges, though conclusive evidence of the Venezuelan leader's alleged involvement in international drug trafficking has not been publicly presented.
