U.S. to Designate Venezuelan "Cartel of the Suns" as Terrorist Group

The United States is preparing to label the "Cartel of the Suns" a foreign terrorist organization. This action aims to increase pressure on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The group's name translates to "Cartel of the Suns," a reference to the sun insignia on the uniforms of high-ranking military officials. However, it is not a traditional drug cartel. Instead, U.S. authorities describe it as a network of Venezuelan officials who use state institutions to traffic drugs. This formal terrorist designation brings severe financial and travel sanctions. It freezes any U.S. assets belonging to the group and bans Americans from doing business with its members. The move represents a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to isolate the Maduro regime.