As of this morning, November 24, 2025, the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns)—a Venezuelan criminal and drug-trafficking network alleged to be led by President Nicolás Maduro and senior members of Venezuela’s armed forces—has been formally designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S. State Department.

The designation enables the United States to impose sanctions and other financial restrictions on the group, its leaders, its members, and anyone providing support to it. It may also offer legal grounds for potential military strikes against sites linked to the organization inside Venezuela.