The U.S. Department of State has announced its intention to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), with the designation set to take effect on November 24, 2025. The group, based in Venezuela, is led by Nicolás Maduro and other senior figures from what the United States describes as the "illegitimate Maduro regime." According to the Department of State, these individuals have exerted control over Venezuela’s military, intelligence agencies, legislature, and judiciary.
"Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela’s legitimate government," stated Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He added that Cartel de los Soles works alongside other designated FTOs such as Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel and is responsible for terrorist violence across the hemisphere as well as drug trafficking operations targeting both the United States and Europe.
Rubio emphasized ongoing efforts: "The United States will continue using all available tools to protect our national security interests and deny funding and resources to narco-terrorists."
This move is being made under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The FTO designation will become effective once it is published in the Federal Register. Previously, Cartel de los Soles was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury under Executive Order 13224, which targets entities associated with terrorism financing (https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0207).