US to designate alleged Maduro-led cartel as foreign terrorist organization

The United States will designate the Venezuela-based Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organization in one week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Sunday evening.

“The Department of State intends to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective November 24, 2025,” Rubio said in a press release. “Cartel de los Soles by and with other designated FTOs including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel are responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”