U.S. Designation of Venezuela's Cártel de los Soles as a Terrorist Organization

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to designate the Cártel de los Soles, a group allegedly led by Nicolás Maduro and other officials of the Venezuelan government, as a foreign terrorist organization. This move is part of the Trump administration's intensified campaign against Venezuela, which has included previous sanctions from the Treasury Department. Rubio characterized the cartel as a significant threat, claiming it uses illegal narcotics as a weapon against the United States. Critics, however, argue that this portrayal lacks substantial evidence and reflects a broader strategy of U.S. interventionism under the guise of combating drug trafficking.

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The term "Cártel de los Soles" emerged in the 1990s, initially used by local journalists to describe Venezuelan military officials involved in drug trafficking. Phil Gunson, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, noted that the label was somewhat informal, stemming from the sun insignias worn by military personnel. Corruption has been a persistent issue in Venezuela, exacerbated during Maduro's presidency, which began in 2013. As the economy faltered due to falling oil prices and U.S. sanctions, government involvement with criminal enterprises reportedly increased, creating a complex network of illicit activities rather than a unified cartel.

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The U.S. government's campaign against Maduro intensified during Trump's first term, culminating in a 2020 indictment that named him as the leader of the Cártel de los Soles. Despite these claims, Maduro has consistently denied any involvement in drug trafficking, citing United Nations data that indicates Venezuela is not a major cocaine producer. Most cocaine originates from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with only a small fraction transiting through Venezuela. Reports suggest that while drug trafficking does occur, it is not as extensive as U.S. officials claim, and the Venezuelan government has historically been accused of turning a blind eye to such activities when they align with U.S. interests.

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Critics of the U.S. approach argue that the designation of the Cártel de los Soles serves as a tool for geopolitical maneuvering rather than a genuine effort to combat drug trafficking. José De Bastos, a Venezuelan journalist, emphasized that the interactions between the government and criminal organizations are more complex than a straightforward conspiracy. Gunson further noted that the lack of a defined structure within the cartel makes it a convenient target for accusations, allowing the U.S. to exert pressure without clear accountability.

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While the U.S. government maintains that the Cártel de los Soles poses a significant threat, dissenting voices highlight the absence of concrete evidence supporting this narrative. The characterization of Maduro's regime as a narcoterrorist organization is seen by some as an oversimplification of a multifaceted issue involving corruption and economic desperation.

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• “The idea that this is a narcoterrorist cartel, and that Maduro is directing the traffic and sending drugs and dangerous criminals to the U.S. to undermine the U.S. government — that’s really wide of the mark,” — Phil Gunson, Analyst, International Crisis Group

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• “’s geopolitical interests and a way to hit at governments deemed to be antithetical to imperial designs.” — Alexander Aviña, Professor of Latin American History, Arizona State University

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• “It’s this sort of vaporous thing that floats in the ether with no domicile, no email address,” — Phil Gunson, Analyst, International Crisis Group

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The situation surrounding the Cártel de los Soles remains contentious, with ongoing debates about the implications of U.S. policy and the realities of Venezuelan governance.

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