USA declares Maduro's Sun Cartel a terrorist group - tensions rise!

USA declares Maduro's Sun Cartel a terrorist group - tensions rise!

The political situation in Venezuela continues to deteriorate. The USA has announced that it will classify the controversial “Cartel de los Soles” as a foreign terrorist organization from November 24th. This decision was announced by the US State Department and comes at a time of increasing tensions between Washington and the government of Nicolás Maduro, which vehemently opposes the US military presence in the Caribbean. According to that Northern Courier The US is planning to take decisive action against drug cartels after around 20 boats belonging to drug smugglers were destroyed in recent weeks, resulting in more than 80 deaths.

But what exactly is behind the “Cartel de los Soles”? This concentration of supposedly criminal elements within the Venezuelan armed forces is derived from the suns on the shoulder boards of Venezuelan generals. Security experts are divided as to whether this is a clearly organized group or whether senior military officials are allowing established crime syndicates to operate while providing them with protection. Despite Maduro's denials of any connection to the drug trade, there is growing evidence that his government is deeply involved in the drug trade.

Insights into drug networks

The involvement of Venezuelan military and politicians in criminal activities is not a new issue. Maduro has deliberately used these ties to ensure the loyalty of the security forces. A comprehensive report of the NZZ describes how the support of these males plays a crucial role in Maduro's stay in power. Following the July 2024 elections, which many observers claim were rigged, Maduro faces pressure both internally and internationally over the legitimacy of his regime.

The allegations made against several senior officials in the regime - including ex-military officials and Maduro himself, who is wanted with a $15 million reward for his arrest - are serious. In particular, evidence suggests that close cooperation between Venezuelan security forces and drug traffickers has increased since Hugo Chávez took office. While Chávez stopped cooperating with the DEA in 2005, corruption in the military increased, creating an environment in which criminal networks could flourish.

Government responsibility and international responses

Given the depth of the involvement, U.S. officials accuse the Maduro government of involving the military and intelligence agencies in the drug trade. This situation creates a worrying picture of Venezuelan politics, in which drug trafficking serves as a means of financing and maintaining the regime. The European Union and numerous Latin American countries are also raising concerns about the legitimacy of Maduro's government, particularly given allegations of fraud surrounding the 2024 presidential election.

The U.S. government has previously designated other cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which can lead to sanctions and asset freezes. Like that Wikipedia member reports, cartels are defined as groups of independent market participants who seek to avoid competition and increase their profits. These forms of crime are not only a problem for Venezuela, but also have an impact on the international drug trade and stability in the region.