Sat Dec 06 20:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

The U.S. Department of State has designated Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns), allegedly headed by President Nicolas Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The U.S. alleges that this “cartel” has corrupted Venezuelan institutions and is involved in drug trafficking. While the term “Cartel de los Soles” has been used in Venezuelan media for years to describe officials with drug ties, some experts believe it’s more a collection of independent cells within the military than a cohesive organization. The designation allows the U.S. to impose further sanctions, potentially strengthening the case for military action, and builds upon previous sanctions and accusations. The Venezuelan government strongly denies the accusations and dismisses the designation as a fabrication and an excuse for U.S. aggression.

News Article:

U.S. Designates “Cartel de los Soles” as Foreign Terrorist Organization, Further Escalating Tensions with Venezuela

Washington D.C. – In a move certain to inflame already strained relations, the U.S. Department of State has designated the Venezuelan organization “Cartel de los Soles” (Cartel of the Suns) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective November 24, 2025. The U.S. accuses the group, allegedly headed by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other top government officials, of widespread corruption and involvement in drug trafficking.

The designation, announced December 6th, 2025, allows the U.S. to impose stricter sanctions, block property and interests, and prohibit transactions related to the organization. The State Department claims the “Cartel de los Soles” has infiltrated and corrupted Venezuela’s military, intelligence, legislature, and judiciary.

The term “Cartel de los Soles” has been used in Venezuelan media since the 1990s to describe government officials linked to drug trafficking. However, some experts, like Jeremy McDermott of InsightCrime, suggest it’s less a traditional cartel and more a network of independent cells within the Venezuelan military.

“This designation is a critical step in our ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and hold accountable those who enable it,” said a State Department official in a press release. The designation follows previous actions, including sanctions imposed in July 2025 and indictments against Maduro and other officials in 2020. The US government has even offered multi-million dollar rewards for information that leads to their arrest.

The U.S. government has refused to recognize the legitimacy of Maduro’s regime following the 2024 elections and has maintained a hardline stance, including increased military presence in the Caribbean and actions against suspected drug trafficking vessels.

Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry swiftly condemned the designation, calling it a “new and ridiculous lie” and an excuse for U.S. interference. Diosdado Cabello, a prominent Venezuelan politician also accused by the U.S., dismissed the claims as an invention.

The FTO designation may also strengthen the U.S. case for potential military action in Venezuela, giving military and law enforcement greater power. The announcement comes as the U.S. expands its list of designated terrorist organizations in Latin America, citing links between the “Cartel de los Soles” and other criminal groups such as Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel.

The long-term implications of this designation on U.S.-Venezuela relations and the broader political landscape in Latin America remain to be seen.

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