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USA declares Venezuelan drug cartel a terrorist network!
US President Trump announces new terrorist organization classification for Venezuela's drug cartel and increases military presence in the Caribbean. Urgent talks with Maduro in prospect.
USA declares Venezuelan drug cartel a terrorist network!
The tensions between the USA and Venezuela are increasingly coming into the focus of the international community. How Picture reports, the US government under President Donald Trump has officially classified the Venezuelan drug cartel “Cartel de los Soles” as a “foreign terrorist organization”. This decision will take effect from November 24, 2025 and marks a drastic hardening of the US stance towards the government of Nicolás Maduro.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused the cartel of being involved in “terrorist violence” and drug trafficking. Maduro is seen as a key figure who allows the cartel to operate under his protection. Behind the Cartel de los Soles is a network of high-ranking officers in the Venezuelan armed forces, which makes the situation even more complicated.
US military situation in the Caribbean
The US military presence in the Caribbean has been massively expanded. As part of this strategy, the US military has not only massed warships and fighter jets in recent months, but is also taking active action against suspected drug smugglers. Over 80 people have already lost their lives when the military, like View reports repeatedly firing at drug boats.
This comes in the context of an intensive offensive that the US military has been carrying out since September. During this time, many boats suspected of being involved in drug trafficking were bombed. Venezuela is of course extremely critical of the US military presence and fears a possible invasion, which is why the government under Maduro has already put itself on alert.
Future prospects and diplomatic discussions
In this tense situation, President Trump has also hinted at talks with Venezuelan leader Maduro, but without going into detail. These vague suggestions have caused further confusion. The Venezuelan president is also viewed by many as illegitimate because many countries, including in Europe and Latin America, do not recognize his government. Edmundo González, an opposition candidate, is seen by many citizens as the rightful winner of the controversial 2024 presidential election.
With this strategy, the US government is not only pursuing the goal of fighting the drug cartels, but also of having a lasting influence on the political situation in Venezuela. This could potentially have far-reaching consequences for the entire region and thus make a solution to the conflict more distant.
The measures already taken, such as designating the Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization, allow the US government to freeze assets of cartel members and impose sanctions. This paints a picture of a complex conflict that goes far beyond drug trafficking and deeply affects Venezuela's political structures.
In such dynamic and dangerous times, eyes and ears will be on developments in this region. Tackling drug cartels decisively could be the key to a solution - but the question remains as to how it will impact US-Venezuela relations overall.