Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday he intends to designate Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), directly accusing Nicolás Maduro and his government of using state authority to support drug trafficking and violent operations connected to other extremist networks.

Rubio said the cartel is “headed by the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro” and asserted that the group has corrupted Venezuela’s governing institutions.

He added that it is responsible for “terrorist violence conducted by and with other designated FTOs.”

.@StateDept intends to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Headed by the illegitimate Nicolás Maduro, the group has corrupted the institutions of government in Venezuela and is responsible for terrorist violence conducted by and with other…

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) November 16, 2025

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The designation would bring significant legal consequences, including criminal penalties for anyone providing material support to the group and restrictions on its assets.

The announcement comes during an increase in regional tensions.

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Venezuela launched a large-scale military operation this week, saying it is responding to what it describes as an “imperialist threat” from U.S. forces. Several ships linked to the cartel have recently been destroyed by drones.

The Maduro government claims Washington is attempting to destabilize the regime, an allegation the Pentagon denies.

U.S. officials have acknowledged, however, that the region has grown more active in recent days.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said nationwide drills were ordered by Maduro and involve land, air, naval, and reserve forces.

He stated that the aim is to “optimize command, control and communications” across the country’s defense structure.

The Bolivarian Militia, a civilian reserve force established under former president Hugo Chávez, is also participating in the exercises.

The timing of the drills coincides with the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Caribbean.

The aircraft carrier, the largest in the U.S. fleet, was redeployed from Europe after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the movement of the strike group.

The Ford is operating with more than 4,000 sailors alongside two Arleigh Burke–class destroyers, USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan, as well as the command ship USS Winston S. Churchill.

Rubio’s planned terrorism designation adds another layer to a growing confrontation between Washington and Caracas.

The United States has long accused Maduro’s government of involvement in narcotics trafficking and cooperation with armed groups operating in the region.

The designation process would formally place the Cartel de los Soles on the same list as other groups deemed to be engaged in terrorism, triggering financial and criminal penalties under U.S. law.

The situation continues to evolve as both countries increase military activity in the region and political tensions escalate over control, security, and ongoing disputes surrounding drug trafficking networks.

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