The United States stepped up pressure on Venezuela on Monday by designating the so-called “Cartel de los Sols” (Cartel of the Sons) group as a terrorist organization.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this month that the US would announce the designation of the cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the United States.
The move is the latest confrontation between the two countries, as the US has launched attacks on suspected drug-trafficking boats in international waters near Venezuela and openly called for Maduro’s ouster.
Washington’s listing of the “Cartel de los Souls” would open the door to new forms of US pressure on leftist Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry hit back at the move, saying, “Venezuela clearly, strongly and completely rejects the new and ridiculous lie of State Department Secretary Marco Rubio, which designates the alleged Cartel of the Sons as a terrorist organization to justify an illegitimate and illegal intervention against Venezuela.”
The administration of US President Donald Trump has alleged that the cartel is run by Maduro, a charge the Venezuelan government has repeatedly denied.
What is ‘Cartel de los Souls’?
The term “Cartel de los Sols” (Cartel of the Suns) refers to the sun-like symbols that adorn the uniforms of members of the Venezuelan Armed Forces.
Venezuelans began using the term in the 1990s to refer to members of the military who became involved in the illegal drug trade near Venezuela’s border with Colombia while overseeing anti-drug missions they were supposed to infiltrate and disrupt.
But as corruption expanded throughout Venezuela, first under the late President Hugo Chávez and then under Maduro, the use of the term expanded to the highest-ranking members of the Venezuelan military, members of the police, and government officials.
Its scope has expanded beyond drug trafficking to include activities such as illegal mining and fuel smuggling.
Maduro was indicted by the US in 2020, during Trump’s first term, on federal charges of narcoterrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.
What’s going on between America and Venezuela?
Washington has been given this designation at a time when the Trump administration is waging an aggressive fight against drugs and illegal immigration from Latin America.
The US has deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier and other military forces to the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Venezuela.
Trump has not ruled out military action against Venezuela, but has suggested that talks with Maduro remain a possibility.
The U.S. land strikes would be a major expansion of a months-long operation that has included targeting military build-ups in the Caribbean and attacking boats accused of drug smuggling, killing more than 80 people.
Officials in Caracas are skeptical of US intentions, however, seeing Washington’s recent efforts as an effort to topple Maduro.
Six airlines announced Saturday they were canceling flights to Venezuela due to safety concerns.
The US Federal Aviation Administration on Friday urged civilian aircraft in Venezuelan airspace to “exercise caution” due to the “deteriorating security situation and increased military activity in or near Venezuela.”
Edited by: Jennifer Cimino Gonzalez