Rubio Slams Hammer Down: Maduro’s ‘Cartel of the Suns’ Branded Terrorists

Paul Riverbank, 11/17/2025The US has labeled Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles a Foreign Terrorist Organization, escalating the confrontation with Maduro’s regime and signaling tougher regional crackdowns on transnational crime. This move marks a pivotal shift in US policy toward Venezuela and may reshape diplomatic and security dynamics in the region.

The name “Cartel de los Soles” might strike some as misleading. It isn’t a cartel like the infamous Sinaloa or Jalisco groups squabbling over territory in Mexico. Instead, think of a tight-knit syndicate, reportedly run by current and ex-Venezuelan generals—some of whom wear crisp uniforms adorned with the iconic gold “suns” that give the group its name. U.S. officials have long accused them of operating as major players in international cocaine trafficking, with routes stretching from Latin America into American and European cities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio didn’t shy away from tough language during his announcement: this designation puts Cartel de los Soles in the same notorious category as the world’s most dangerous terror groups. Officials revealed that the move, effective November 24, 2025, follows months of groundwork; as early as July, the U.S. Treasury had tagged the cartel as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist”—a first step that froze assets and attempted to sever the cartel’s financial lifelines. The FTO label, however, unlocks a new arsenal: expanded sanctions, sweeping travel bans, and the legal authority to pursue those who do business with or lend material support to these networks.

The rhetoric from Washington was pointed. Rubio’s statement asserted that “the Cartel de los Soles is headed by Nicolás Maduro and high-ranking figures of the illegitimate Maduro regime,” linking the group not just to drug smuggling but to a web of corruption pulling the strings of Venezuela’s key institutions: military, intelligence, legislature, even the judiciary. American officials are clear—they regard Maduro and his loyalists as illegitimate rulers, not Venezuela’s true representatives.

South America is watching, and some are also acting. In recent months, countries like Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic have placed their own “terror group” labels on Cartel de los Soles under domestic law, effectively joining the U.S. in isolating these networks. Interestingly, Colombia’s congress has been pushing for a similar designation, though President Gustavo Petro has so far resisted, citing the need for diplomatic ties with Caracas—a stance his critics call naïve, if not knowingly permissive.

Dig a little deeper and the story gets murkier. According to American claims, Cartel de los Soles isn’t just a drug syndicate—they say it acts as a central node stitching together alliances with other illicit actors: Colombia’s ELN guerrillas, the Sinaloa Cartel, even Lebanon’s Hezbollah. That paints Venezuela as more than a narco-state—in the eyes of Washington, it has become a multi-purpose hub for organized crime and terrorism. President Maduro, for his part, has dismissed the accusations as political theater, but the drumbeat of international condemnation is growing harder to ignore.

Former President Trump weighed in as well, framing this as both a national security and domestic safety issue. “We’re stopping drug dealers and drugs from coming into our country,” he declared, hinting that the administration could use the new designation to go after the Maduro regime’s financial assets or core support structures. Somewhat surprisingly, Trump didn’t entirely slam the door on negotiations, suggesting “they would like to talk.” Whether that’s realpolitik or posturing remains open to interpretation.

Here’s what matters: putting Cartel de los Soles on the FTO list changes the legal and diplomatic calculus. The move opens doors to harsher penalties, makes it easier to prosecute those supporting the group, and serves as a blunt warning to financial and logistics partners from Europe to the Caribbean. Perhaps just as important, it sends a message regionally—the United States, after years of watching the crisis in Caracas unfold, is prepared to wield heavier tools in the face of perceived threats.

Rubio promised that “we’re not going to sit back anymore.” That line hints at more action—be it ramped-up sanctions, coordinated interdiction efforts, or additional diplomatic steps. In some corners, that’s fueling speculation that pressure could eventually push Maduro to the table, or, conversely, cause him to double down.

Right now, it’s too soon to say whether this will tip the balance toward negotiations, greater confrontation, or something unpredictable. But the landscape has shifted. For Venezuela’s beleaguered opposition and for neighbors already grappling with spillover crime and migration, the designation brings new hope for accountability—or at the very least, that international attention won’t fade quietly away.

One thing is certain: no one in the region will be able to ignore Washington’s next move. The rules of the game just changed.

Last night, the U.S. government fired a diplomatic shot that’s certain to echo through Venezuela and beyond. By moving to formally list Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, Washington is signaling a willingness to escalate pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle—and the impact could hit far more than the shadowy military figures at the cartel’s helm.The name “Cartel de los Soles” might strike some as misleading. It isn’t a cartel like the infamous Sinaloa or Jalisco groups squabbling over territory in Mexico. Instead, think of a tight-knit syndicate, reportedly run by current and ex-Venezuelan generals—some of whom wear crisp uniforms adorned with the iconic gold “suns” that give the group its name. U.S. officials have long accused them of operating as major players in international cocaine trafficking, with routes stretching from Latin America into American and European cities.Secretary of State Marco Rubio didn’t shy away from tough language during his announcement: this designation puts Cartel de los Soles in the same notorious category as the world’s most dangerous terror groups. Officials revealed that the move, effective November 24, 2025, follows months of groundwork; as early as July, the U.S. Treasury had tagged the cartel as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist”—a first step that froze assets and attempted to sever the cartel’s financial lifelines. The FTO label, however, unlocks a new arsenal: expanded sanctions, sweeping travel bans, and the legal authority to pursue those who do business with or lend material support to these networks.The rhetoric from Washington was pointed. Rubio’s statement asserted that “the Cartel de los Soles is headed by Nicolás Maduro and high-ranking figures of the illegitimate Maduro regime,” linking the group not just to drug smuggling but to a web of corruption pulling the strings of Venezuela’s key institutions: military, intelligence, legislature, even the judiciary. American officials are clear—they regard Maduro and his loyalists as illegitimate rulers, not Venezuela’s true representatives.South America is watching, and some are also acting. In recent months, countries like Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic have placed their own “terror group” labels on Cartel de los Soles under domestic law, effectively joining the U.S. in isolating these networks. Interestingly, Colombia’s congress has been pushing for a similar designation, though President Gustavo Petro has so far resisted, citing the need for diplomatic ties with Caracas—a stance his critics call naïve, if not knowingly permissive.Dig a little deeper and the story gets murkier. According to American claims, Cartel de los Soles isn’t just a drug syndicate—they say it acts as a central node stitching together alliances with other illicit actors: Colombia’s ELN guerrillas, the Sinaloa Cartel, even Lebanon’s Hezbollah. That paints Venezuela as more than a narco-state—in the eyes of Washington, it has become a multi-purpose hub for organized crime and terrorism. President Maduro, for his part, has dismissed the accusations as political theater, but the drumbeat of international condemnation is growing harder to ignore.Former President Trump weighed in as well, framing this as both a national security and domestic safety issue. “We’re stopping drug dealers and drugs from coming into our country,” he declared, hinting that the administration could use the new designation to go after the Maduro regime’s financial assets or core support structures. Somewhat surprisingly, Trump didn’t entirely slam the door on negotiations, suggesting “they would like to talk.” Whether that’s realpolitik or posturing remains open to interpretation.Here’s what matters: putting Cartel de los Soles on the FTO list changes the legal and diplomatic calculus. The move opens doors to harsher penalties, makes it easier to prosecute those supporting the group, and serves as a blunt warning to financial and logistics partners from Europe to the Caribbean. Perhaps just as important, it sends a message regionally—the United States, after years of watching the crisis in Caracas unfold, is prepared to wield heavier tools in the face of perceived threats.Rubio promised that “we’re not going to sit back anymore.” That line hints at more action—be it ramped-up sanctions, coordinated interdiction efforts, or additional diplomatic steps. In some corners, that’s fueling speculation that pressure could eventually push Maduro to the table, or, conversely, cause him to double down.Right now, it’s too soon to say whether this will tip the balance toward negotiations, greater confrontation, or something unpredictable. But the landscape has shifted. For Venezuela’s beleaguered opposition and for neighbors already grappling with spillover crime and migration, the designation brings new hope for accountability—or at the very least, that international attention won’t fade quietly away.One thing is certain: no one in the region will be able to ignore Washington’s next move. The rules of the game just changed.