🏛️ US designates Cartel de los Soles as terrorist organization amid Venezuela tensions

Oneliner

The US has designated the Cartel de los Soles, allegedly led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, effective 24 November 2025. This move coincides with the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford and over 15,000 troops to the Caribbean, marking the largest US military presence in decades. President Trump hinted at possible negotiations with Maduro, despite the aggressive military posture. The designation aims to pressure Maduro's regime amid ongoing accusations of drug trafficking.

Key points

• The US has designated the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, effective 24 November 2025.
• President Trump hinted at possible negotiations with Maduro despite escalating military presence in the Caribbean.
• The USS Gerald R. Ford has arrived in the Caribbean, marking the largest US military deployment in decades.
• The designation aims to pressure Maduro's regime amid ongoing accusations of drug trafficking.

Links

• El Mundo: Marco Rubio adelanta que Washington designará al cártel de los soles como organización terrorista extranjera
• El País: Trump: "Es posible que estemos teniendo conversaciones con Maduro. Veremos cómo resulta"
• El Mundo: Maduro llama a la "vigilia permanente" ante las maniobras militares de Washington, a apenas 10 kilómetros de Venezuela
• ABC: El PP fuerza a Moncloa a posicionarse sobre la tensión entre Estados Unidos y Venezuela
• El Mundo: Trump asegura que "podría haber discusiones con Maduro" porque "Venezuela quiere hablar"
• BFMTV: Les États-Unis vont désigner comme groupe terroriste un cartel dirigé, selon Washington, par le président vénézuélien Nicolas Maduro
• Euronews: Trump signals possible talks with Maduro amid US military campaign
• Deutsche Welle: Trump alude a diálogo con Maduro y este canta "Imagine"
• Diário de Notícias: Porta-aviões dos EUA chega ao mar das Caraíbas em plena crise com Venezuela
• The Guardian: US will label supposed Venezuelan drug cartel 'headed by Maduro' as terrorist organization

Facts

• The designation of the Cartel de los Soles as an FTO will take effect on 24 November 2025.
• The USS Gerald R. Ford is part of the largest US military deployment in the Caribbean since 1989.
• The US has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro's capture.
• The US has conducted over 20 military strikes against vessels accused of drug trafficking since August.

Quotes

• Directed by the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro, the group has corrupted government institutions in Venezuela and is responsible for acts of terrorist violence — Marco Rubio
• It’s possible that we are talking, that we are having conversations with Maduro. We’ll see how it turns out — Donald Trump
• Neither Maduro nor his henchmen represent the legitimate government of Venezuela — Marco Rubio

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