Introduction
On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. government will designate the Cartel de los Soles, an alleged drug trafficking organization led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This designation is expected to impose severe sanctions and blacklisting measures against the cartel and its members, further isolating Maduro's regime on the international stage.
Details of the Designation
Rubio's statement emphasized that the Cartel de los Soles operates from Venezuela, with Maduro and other high-ranking officials from what the U.S. considers the illegitimate Maduro regime at its helm. The cartel is accused of corrupting various branches of the Venezuelan government, including the military, intelligence, and judiciary, and is linked to terrorist violence across the Americas. The cartel's operations are not isolated; it is reportedly working alongside other known criminal organizations, such as the Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, to traffic drugs into the United States and Europe.
Background on the Cartel
The Cartel de los Soles has its origins in drug trafficking operations that began under the late President Hugo Chávez. Its name derives from the sun insignias worn by members of the Venezuelan military. Insight Crime characterizes the cartel as a decentralized network of cells within various branches of the military, rather than a traditional hierarchical organization. This structure allows for a wide range of involvement in drug trafficking activities from low-ranking members to high-ranking officials.
Key Figures and Allegations
Reports have long implicated Diosdado Cabello, Maduro’s interior minister, as a significant figure within the cartel. In 2015, a former security officer of Chávez publicly identified Cabello as the leader of the cartel, alongside Tareck El Aissami, a former oil minister. Recently, evidence has emerged suggesting that Maduro himself has taken on a more direct role in the cartel's operations, contradicting earlier claims that he was merely a financial beneficiary of the drug trade.
Impact of the FTO Designation
The FTO designation will take effect on November 24 and will allow the U.S. to deny entry to anyone associated with the cartel, freeze their assets, and prosecute individuals providing support to the organization. This move is expected to hinder Maduro's ability to travel internationally, particularly to the U.S., where he has occasionally participated in events at the United Nations.
Military Operations Against Drug Trafficking
Coinciding with the FTO designation, the U.S. Navy has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and its strike group to the Caribbean as part of an operation named Joint Task Force Southern Spear. This military initiative aims to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks exploiting maritime routes to the U.S. The Trump administration has made it clear that it does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate president, citing fraudulent elections and systemic repression of opposition.
Conclusion
The designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization marks a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to combat drug trafficking linked to the Venezuelan government. It reflects broader trends in U.S. foreign policy aimed at addressing narcotics-related violence and corruption in Latin America. As the situation evolves, the implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations and regional security remain critical areas of focus.