The United States has officially labeled the Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, citing alleged involvement in drug trafficking and regional violence. The designation, announced earlier this month by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, went into effect Monday, prompting a strong rejection from Caracas.

US Officials Cite Criminal and Terror Activities

In the Federal Register notice, Rubio stated, “I designate the named organization and its aliases as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.” The move aligns Cartel de los Soles with other FTOs such as Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, which Washington says are responsible for both drug trafficking and terrorist violence in the hemisphere.

The US Justice Department has also accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other top officials of leading the cartel. Earlier this year, the DOJ increased the reward for Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, reflecting the administration’s determination to hold leaders accountable.

Venezuela Rejects Allegations

Caracas dismissed the designation as absurd. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil posted on Telegram, stating that the government “completely and absolutely rejects the US’s latest and ridiculous fabrication” and accused Washington of repeating a “disgraceful and vile lie” to justify illegitimate intervention.

Venezuelan authorities insisted that the Cartel de los Soles is a fictional entity, and the designation is part of a broader US attempt to delegitimize the government.

Regional Tensions and US Military Posture

The announcement comes amid heightened US operations in Latin America. Washington has reportedly deployed marines, warships, fighter and bomber aircraft, submarines, and drones in the region, fueling speculation that it could take direct action against Venezuela.

In parallel, President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he is willing to hold “face-to-face” talks with Maduro, signaling potential diplomatic engagement even as tensions escalate.