The Justice Department’s revised indictment of Nicolás Maduro, while still accusing him of “narco-terrorism” and drug trafficking, now describes the Cártel de los Soles as a “patronage system” rather than a literal organization. This shift contrasts with the original 2020 indictment and highlights inconsistencies within the government, as the Treasury and State Departments continue to designate Cártel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. This designation is key for Trump, who has been using it rhetorically to justify policies, like the summary execution of suspected drug smugglers, blurring the lines between drug trafficking and violent aggression. Critics argue that the FTO label is being applied loosely, even when it lacks a strong legal or factual basis, particularly in cases like Cártel de los Soles.
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The Trump administration used the alleged existence of a “Cartel de los Soles” led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as justification for his removal. However, now that the Department of Justice must prove this in court, the claim is being walked back, effectively admitting the non-existence of the organization. This narrative, initially used to garner support for US aggression, described Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. But the new indictment omits the existence of a formal cartel, portraying it as a culture of corruption instead.
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The Department of Justice has conceded that the “Cartel de los Soles,” a drug cartel previously cited by the Trump administration to justify military action in Venezuela, does not exist. The original claim, appearing in a 2020 indictment that identified Nicolás Maduro as its leader, has been revised to state that Maduro merely supported a system of drug-money patronage. Experts suggest the term “Cartel de los Soles” was a slang term, and the revised indictment more accurately reflects the reality of the situation. Despite the DOJ’s shift, some officials continue to invoke the name of the non-existent cartel.
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President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. might be holding discussions with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, amidst an increased U.S. military presence in the region, highlighted by the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. The U.S. military has simultaneously conducted strikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking, resulting in numerous fatalities. The U.S. is also conducting training exercises with troops in Trinidad and Tobago and Panama. Furthermore, the State Department intends to designate the Cartel de los Soles, allegedly headed by Maduro, as a foreign terrorist organization.
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Reports indicate the Trump administration has decided to strike military facilities within Venezuela, targeting the Cartel de los Soles, which U.S. officials allege is run by members of the Maduro regime. The goal of these strikes is to dismantle the cartel’s operations, with potential targets including military ports, airports, and naval facilities. While the ultimate decision on timing and targets is still being considered, the focus is on pressuring Maduro to step down. The escalation aims to leverage American power to combat drug trafficking.
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Reports suggest the Trump administration is considering imminent strikes against military installations in Venezuela, targeting the Cartel de los Soles, allegedly headed by Nicolás Maduro. These attacks, potentially carried out by air, aim to dismantle the cartel’s hierarchy and disrupt drug trafficking routes, with the U.S. having doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest. A large-scale military deployment, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and other warships, has been assembled in the Caribbean, bolstering the capacity for strikes and intimidation. While officials maintain the primary focus is on disrupting drug trafficking, the scale of the operation suggests a broader objective, possibly the removal of the Maduro regime, despite the President’s preference for targeted operations over prolonged occupation.
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Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader, stated that military escalation is the only way to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power and facilitate a peaceful transition. Machado is actively organizing her movement, even with members imprisoned or in exile, and has a plan for the first 100 hours following a regime change. The Trump administration has reportedly considered military strikes inside Venezuela targeting military facilities linked to the Maduro regime and drug-trafficking organizations, including the Cartel de los Soles. These potential strikes aim to disrupt the Cartel de los Soles, and sources suggest that Maduro’s time in power is limited, with some generals reportedly willing to apprehend him.
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Sources have confirmed the U.S. is poised to launch military strikes within Venezuela, targeting military installations believed to be utilized by the Cartel de los Soles, headed by Nicolás Maduro. These attacks, potentially imminent, are part of an escalating campaign against drug trafficking operations linked to the Maduro regime. The U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean, including deploying a carrier strike group and fighter jets, which will be used for targeted strikes. While officials have not confirmed Maduro’s direct targeting, they have doubled the reward for his capture and suggested that his time is running out.
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John Q. Hosedrinker