Drug Smuggling or an Excuse? Behind the New US Accusations Against Venezuela

In the latest chapter of the confrontation between Washington and Caracas, the US has taken a new step in escalating the confrontation by labeling an imaginary cartel as a terrorist organization.

News ID: 86906

Date: 17 November 2025 - 11:25

TEHRAN (Defapress) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a speech yesterday, Sunday, that the Cartel de los Soles (The Sun), which Washington claims operates under the leadership of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other high-ranking officials in the country, will be designated as a foreign terrorist organization. This decision, which will take effect on November 24, has come down like a double-edged sword on relations between the two countries and draws new horizons of confrontation with the US.

The US State Department stressed in a statement that Maduro and his associates do not represent the legitimate government of Venezuela and that the cartel, in collaboration with other terrorist groups such as the Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa cartel, is responsible for terrorist violence in the Western Hemisphere and for massive drug trafficking to the United States and Europe.

The announcement comes as the US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean. The arrival of the world's largest aircraft carrier in the waters of the region is a symbol of Washington's strong determination to confront alleged drug trafficking operations. Just last weekend, US forces carried out their 21st attack on a Venezuelan boat.

US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters, described the announcement as key to targeting Maduro's assets and infrastructure inside Venezuela. He said in a cautious tone: "This decision allows us to do that, but we have not said yet that we will do it." Trump also raised the possibility of talks with Maduro, adding, "They're willing to talk." Although Trump announced on Friday that he would consider military action, he remained silent on the matter on Sunday.

However, Trump believes that his administration does not need congressional authorization for possible military operations in Venezuela. "We would like to keep Congress informed, but we don't need to approve them. We're stopping drug traffickers," he stressed. This stance has sparked a wave of skepticism.

CNN reported that some experts are skeptical about the legality of the attacks on the boats, as the United States has not declared war on Venezuela. Designating Venezuela as a terrorist organization allows the US president to impose sanctions, but does not explicitly authorize the use of deadly force. Congress has seven days to review the decision and, if there is no objection, to implement it.

Earlier this year, Rubio described the statement as a tool to confront groups that are not only drug traffickers but also armed terrorists. “Drug trafficking is a form of terrorism that they do, and that’s not all,” he said. The move follows sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department in July that designated the cartels as “specially designated global terrorists” and alleged that they provided material support to the Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa cartel. However, Caracas has vehemently denied the allegations.

“The cartels are here, and so are the Colombians and the Mexicans,” said Phil Gunson, a researcher for the International Crisis Group based in Caracas. “The drug shipments are coming in through the Orinoco River and by air and through secret airstrips, flights from Apore to Central America and so on.”

Instead of contributing to regional stability, the United States, by intensifying its military presence and unilateral attacks, not only violates Venezuela's national sovereignty but also blocks the path to diplomacy with unilateral labeling. Presenting a statement to declare such a terrorist group is not a bridge to peace, but a bridge to escalating tensions. Thus, by abusing legal tools to advance political goals, the United States has placed itself in a position that calls into question its international credibility.