Washington D.C. – The Trump administration significantly escalated pressure on Venezuela Tuesday by designating president Nicolás Maduro and his inner circle as a foreign terrorist organization, a move wiht far-reaching implications for U.S. policy and potential intervention in the region. The designation targets the “Cartel de los Soles,” a network alleged to be involved in drug trafficking and corruption within the Venezuelan government, despite differing expert opinions on its structure.As the U.S. military maintains a considerable presence in the Caribbean Sea under “Operation Southern Spear,” this action broadens the scope for potential sanctions and further complicates an already volatile situation.
Washington, D.C. – The United States has designated Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and members of his inner circle as part of a foreign terrorist organization, a move that significantly expands the Trump administration’s options for taking further action against Caracas.
The designation categorizes “Cartel de los Soles,” a term experts say more accurately reflects alleged corruption among government officials than a structured criminal group, as a foreign terrorist organization. This status grants the Trump administration new authority to impose sanctions on Maduro’s assets and infrastructure.
Legal experts, however, have clarified that the designation does not explicitly authorize the use of lethal force.
Despite this, Trump administration officials have repeatedly indicated that the designation – one of the State Department’s most serious counter-terrorism instruments – would broaden the scope of potential U.S. military action within Venezuela.
According to CNN International, Tuesday, November 25, 2025, analysts describe “Cartel de los Soles” as a decentralized network involving elements within the Venezuelan armed forces allegedly linked to drug trafficking.
Maduro has consistently denied any personal involvement in the drug trade, and his government has repeatedly refuted the existence of the cartel, which some experts say does not function as a conventional organization.
The designation comes as the U.S. military has deployed more than a dozen warships and approximately 15,000 personnel to the region in an operation dubbed “Operation Southern Spear.” As part of this anti-narcotics campaign, the U.S. military is reported to have killed dozens of individuals in engagements with targeted vessels.
President Trump has received briefings from senior officials on a range of options regarding Venezuela, including strikes against military or government facilities, and special operations. Maintaining the status quo remains an official option under consideration.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and his senior advisor, David Isom, are scheduled to visit Puerto Rico to thank service members supporting the mission in the Caribbean Sea.
Public Sentiment
As military and diplomatic efforts escalate, public opinion in the U.S. appears more cautious. A CBS News/YouGov poll released Sunday showed that 70% of Americans oppose U.S. military involvement in Venezuela, while only 30% support it.
Furthermore, 76% of respondents believe the Trump administration has not clearly explained the U.S. position regarding potential military action.
Officially, the U.S. government states its operations aim to curb migrant flows and illegal drug trafficking. However, officials have suggested that a regime change could be a “side effect” of this pressure.
According to a U.S. official, Trump hopes the existing pressure will be sufficient to force Maduro’s resignation without resorting to armed intervention.
Venezuela’s Response
The Venezuelan government strongly condemned the designation, calling the foreign terrorist organization label a “ridiculous fabrication” in a statement.
The statement added that “this new maneuver will suffer the same fate as previous aggressions against our country: failure.”
Amidst the escalating rhetoric, Trump also offered a slight diplomatic signal, stating last week that Maduro “wants to talk,” and later indicating he would be open to speaking “at some point.”
Simultaneously, the United States staged its largest military demonstration near Venezuela. Over several hours, at least six U.S. aircraft appeared off the Venezuelan coast, including supersonic F/A-18E fighter jets, strategic B-52 bombers, and reconnaissance planes.
Uncertainty is also growing in the civilian aviation sector. Reuters reported that over the weekend, three international airlines canceled flights to Venezuela after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned major carriers about a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying in the country’s airspace.
(luc/luc)
