US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. File photo.
On Monday, the Venezuelan government condemned the designation of the so-called Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist group by the United States government, reiterating that it does not exist. In a statement, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry asserted that the Trump administration is repeating a “vile lie” and a “ridiculous ploy” to justify an “illegitimate and illegal” intervention in Venezuela, “under the classic US regime change model.”
“It is foolish for the Venezuelan government to waste valuable time governing by having to respond to these infamies and slanders. Fortunately, the Venezuelan people are more united and cohesive than ever, attending to national life in all its dimensions and focused on the Christmas festivities,” the statement added. In its view, this new “maneuver” by the United States will fail, just like previous “recurring aggression.”
Alleged Cartel de los Soles
On November 16, radical right-wing US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation of the alleged Cartel de los Soles as a “foreign terrorist group” (FTO), effective Monday, November 24.
While the US government links this organization to the highest ranks of the Venezuelan military and government, the reality is that very little is known about it. An organization with that name was reported by journalists in the 1990s, long before Hugo Chávez came to power in 1999, followed by Nicolás Maduro in 2013.
In fact, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) never officially launched an investigation into the alleged Cartel de los Soles until March 2020, during Donald Trump’s first term. However, no information about the cartel’s structure has ever been made public, unlike with many other drug cartels in Mexico or Colombia, leading many to believe the cartel is merely a pretext for justifying a military invasion.
International organizations indicate that drug trafficking to the United States is carried out primarily through the Pacific Ocean.
Pressure on Venezuela
This designation is part of the pressure tactics the US government is using against Venezuela, which began in August as part of a purported operation to combat drug cartels. This operation has included attacks on boats allegedly carrying narcotics, which were bombed by US military personnel without prior inspection or detention—actions that many politicians and NGOs inside and outside the United States have condemned as violations of human rights and international treaties.
According to media reports, 21 boats have been sunk, and 83 people have been killed. Some of these strikes have also taken place in the Pacific Ocean, far from the Venezuelan coast. The governments of countries such as Colombia and Mexico have also issued strong protests against these actions.
Late on November 23, the US government also issued alerts to airlines flying from, to, or through Venezuela, warning of possible military maneuvers, which caused several airlines to suspend flights to and from the country. Others, however, have continued normal operations.
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Below is Venezuela’s full statement:
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically, firmly, and absolutely condemns the new and ridiculous ploy by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, which designates the non-existent “Cartel de los Soles” as a terrorist organization, thus renewing an infamous and vile lie to justify an illegitimate and illegal intervention against Venezuela, under the classic US regime change model. This new maneuver will follow the same fate as previous recurring aggressions against our country: failure.
It is foolish for the Venezuelan government to waste valuable time governing by having to respond to these infamies and slanders. Fortunately, the Venezuelan people are more united and cohesive than ever, attending to national life in all its dimensions and focused on the Christmas festivities.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela urges the US government to rectify this erratic policy of aggression and threats, which the US people themselves forcefully condemn, impacts the development of the Caribbean peoples, and in no way contributes to a true and genuine fight against illicit drug trafficking.
Once again, our people, in perfect popular, police, and military union, will know how to safeguard the peace and the highest interests of our Republic. With the Liberator Simón Bolívar, we say aloud: Peace will be my haven, my glory, my reward, my hope, my joy, and all that is precious to me in this world.
Caracas, November 24, 2025
(Alba Ciudad) by Luigino Bracci with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SF
