U.S. to label Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles a terrorist group on Nov. 24, citing links to Maduro and drug trafficking, amid military actions and congressional review.

The U.S. plans to designate Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization effective November 24, 2025, citing alleged links to President Nicolás Maduro and high-ranking officials in a network accused of drug trafficking, terrorism, and systemic corruption. The move, backed by prior Treasury sanctions, aims to disrupt the group’s finances and operations, coinciding with increased U.S. military activity in the Caribbean, including naval strikes on suspected drug vessels. The designation, part of a broader effort to label eight Latin American cartels as terrorist entities, faces scrutiny over the group’s alleged structure and the legality of potential military actions. Venezuela denies the claims, and the decision requires congressional review within seven days.