US Designates Venezuela's Maduro as Head of Terrorist Organization Amid Military Tensions

On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his senior government officials were set to be recognized by the United States as part of a foreign terrorist organization. The designation, which includes the notorious "Cartel of the Suns," enables Washington to impose new sanctions on the Chavista administration, with the US alleging that Maduro leads this cartel, which spans various ranks within the Venezuelan military and government. As tensions escalate, the world keenly anticipates the next moves in the extensive US military deployment in the Caribbean. The arrival of the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford, the most modern and largest in the world, is ostensibly part of Operation Southern Spear aimed at targeting drug trafficking. This deployment, which consists of 20% of US naval forces worldwide and includes F-35 fighter jets and approximately 15,000 troops, has recently engaged in military exercises close to Trinidad and Tobago. Four senior US officials have indicated to Reuters that the second phase of the military operation is imminent while international airlines have begun to suspend flights over Venezuela. This decision follows a precautionary recommendation from the US aviation agency prompted by the risk of military escalation in the region. During this period, President Trump remained at the White House, forgoing his usual weekends at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in Geneva discussing the US peace plan for Ukraine, the State Department announced that the Cartel of the Suns would be added to its list of foreign terrorist organizations, joining groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The Cartel of the Suns does not operate as a traditional organized crime syndicate, but rather as a decentralized network comprising high-ranking military and governmental officials colluding in drug trafficking. Insightcrime clarifies that this group lacks a clear hierarchy, instead functioning as a series of independent cells across various military branches in Venezuela. While the US asserts that its deployment in the Caribbean is focused on combating drug trafficking, many, including Maduro himself, suggest that the true aim might be to force the removal of the Venezuelan president, whom Washington does not recognize as the legitimate leader. The US has recently increased its bounty on Maduro's capture to $50 million. Although the recent designation of the Cartel of the Suns does not in itself permit military action, US officials have interpreted it as a potential legal pathway for retaliatory strikes within Venezuelan territory. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that the designation provides the US with numerous options, while Trump has indicated that it might enable attacks on Maduro's infrastructure in Venezuela, though he remains open to diplomatic avenues with Caracas. The potential commencement of a new phase in Operation Southern Spear—possibly including ground operations—has been hinted at by the US President. He authorized US intelligence agencies to conduct covert missions in Venezuela, which could pave the way for broader military campaigns, according to reports from senior officials. As the situation develops, America’s strategy towards Venezuela continues to be closely monitored, with Trump's administration exploring various military options while maintaining a diplomatic façade. The instability within the nation underscores a deeper struggle for power and control in South America as the region watches with bated breath. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2