Rubio also claimed that the cartel is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and “his cronies,” who have “corrupted Venezuela’s military, intelligence, legislature, and judiciary.”
The intended designation follows a slew of similar actions taken against other drug cartels last winter, shortly after President Donald Trump reentered the Oval Office. Those groups included Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and the Sinaloa Cartel, among others—all now designated as terrorist organizations. Notably, the Cartel of the Suns was not included in that batch, though the Treasury Department did impose sanctions on it over the summer.
This move from the State Department comes at a precarious time in the region, as Trump has waged a war on drug trafficking and has singled out Maduro—whom the U.S. views as an illegitimate leader—as one of its enablers.
U.S. military assets in the region have surged, with over a dozen warships deployed and more than 20 separate strikes targeting small alleged drug vessels operating in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific. This increased military action has prompted Venezuela to deploy “almost 200,000” service members and put “the entire country’s military arsenal on full operational readiness,” according to Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López.
### US STRIKES ANOTHER DRUG BOAT, PUTTING TOTAL AT OVER 20
Venezuela’s military is also reportedly considering sabotage tactics should the U.S. launch strikes on targets within the country—something Trump has not yet authorized. However, the U.S. president stated on Saturday that he has “sort of made up my mind” on what military action, if any, could be next.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/foreign-policy/3888836/us-designate-alleged-maduro-led-cartel-terrorist-organization/
