Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Cartel de los Soles, linked to Venezuelan leadership, will be designated as a terrorist organization.
In a statement on X, Rubio said, “[State Department] intends to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Headed by the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro, the group has corrupted the institutions of government in Venezuela and is responsible for terrorist violence conducted by and with other designated FTOs as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”
The designation is to take effect on November 24.
According to a press statement, the Cartel de los Soles is linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other high-ranking leaders of the “illegitimate Maduro regime who have corrupted Venezuela’s military, intelligence, legislature, and judiciary.”
“Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela’s legitimate government,” the statement read. “Cartel de los Soles by and with other designated FTOs including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel are responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”
The statement comes as President Trump recently told reporters that he may hold discussions with Maduro.
Meanwhile, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group entered the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility on November 11, set to focus on alleged drug trafficking boats.
Earlier this year, the Treasury Department designated the Cartel de los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, saying it has provided support to other criminal networks involved in the drug trade and human trafficking.
