(C) NPR

The Trump administration has intensified its pressure campaign against the Venezuelan government, officially designating the country's alleged drug trafficking organization, "Cartel de los Soles" (Cartel of the Suns), as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This move, announced on November 24, 2025, directly implicates Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who the US government claims is the cartel's ringleader. This designation marks a significant escalation, yet it is complicated by simultaneous reports of potential direct talks between President Trump and Maduro. 

FTO Designation: A New Level of Sanctions 

The US State Department announced the FTO designation, alleging the Cartel de los Soles is involved in trafficking illegal drugs into the United States. This designation has immediate and severe consequences:

Asset Freeze: Any assets belonging to the organization within US jurisdiction will be frozen.
Criminal Penalties: Individuals or entities found to be providing material support to the designated organization could face criminal prosecution.
The term "Cartel de los Soles" originated in the 1990s and refers to high-ranking Venezuelan military officers allegedly corrupted by drug trafficking. The name is said to derive from the sun-shaped insignia worn on the uniforms of generals.

This is the second Venezuelan-based criminal organization designated as an FTO by the Trump administration, following the designation of the gang Tren de Aragua in September. By placing the Cartel de los Soles on the FTO list, which includes groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, the US is equating the Maduro-led structure with global terrorist threats. 

Venezuelan Reaction: Dismissal and Counter-Accusations 

The Venezuelan government swiftly and vehemently rejected the FTO designation. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil dismissed the Cartel de los Soles as a "non-existent entity" and labeled the FTO designation an "absurd fabrication."

Gil accused the US of engaging in "vile lies to justify an illegal and illegitimate intervention," asserting that the American objective is solely to gain control over Venezuela’s vast natural resources, including oil, gas, gold, and minerals. He framed the FTO designation as merely an attempt to legitimize continuous, unlawful efforts at regime change.

The 'Maximum Pressure' Campaign and Military Context 

The FTO designation comes amid a broader and increasingly aggressive US "war on drug trafficking." In recent months, the US has significantly enhanced its military presence in the Caribbean, citing the need to combat drug smuggling. The US has reportedly conducted airstrikes on suspected Venezuelan drug transport vessels on the high seas, resulting in at least 80 fatalities to date.

This military buildup, coupled with the FTO designation, has fueled speculation that the Trump administration may be seeking to build a political and legal justification for a military intervention aimed at ousting the Maduro regime. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth seemingly amplified these concerns, stating that the FTO designation "brings a whole host of new options to the United States," implying potential military avenues.

However, experts remain skeptical about the legal grounds for military action based solely on an FTO designation. A former senior Treasury official commented that, despite attending numerous interagency meetings, they had "never once heard the designation of a group as an FTO satisfy the criteria for military action." This suggests that while the designation expands the scope of sanctions and diplomatic pressure, its direct utility as a legal basis for military intervention is tenuous.  

A Contradictory Diplomatic Overture 

Adding a layer of complexity to the escalating tensions, the US government simultaneously signaled a potential diplomatic off-ramp. US online outlet Axios reported that President Trump informed his aides of his plan to engage in direct talks with President Maduro.

Sources suggested that this consideration of direct dialogue might indicate that a military attack by the US is not immediately imminent. While the date of the potential phone call remains undetermined and the plan is reportedly still in the conceptual stage, this disclosure introduces a distinct element of "carrot and stick" to the Trump administration’s Venezuela policy—a forceful, maximum-pressure tactic juxtaposed with a potential for high-level negotiation.

The prospect of dialogue, even as the US labels Maduro the head of a terrorist organization, underscores the unpredictable and multifaceted nature of the relationship.  

Conclusion: Maximum Pressure, Unclear Endgame 

The FTO designation of the Cartel de los Soles marks a symbolic and functional high point in the US strategy to isolate and sanction the Maduro regime. It weaponizes the US legal framework to impose debilitating financial and criminal penalties.

Yet, the simultaneous reports of potential presidential talks suggest that the endgame remains complex and uncertain. The move can be interpreted as either the final piece of pressure before a military move or a powerful bargaining chip designed to force Maduro to the negotiating table on US terms. The coming weeks will likely reveal whether the Trump administration intends to follow through on its implied military options or pivot to a dramatic diplomatic engagement to resolve the deepening crisis.