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US adds Venezuelan 'Cartel of the Suns' to terror list as military threat rises

US adds Venezuelan 'Cartel of the Suns' to terror list as military threat rises

Nov 25, 2025

Washington [US], November 25: The United States has designated what Venezuelans call the "Cartel de los Soles", or "Cartel of the Suns", a "foreign terrorist organization".
President Donald Trump's administration added the "cartel", which it asserts is linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, to the list on Monday, according to a notice published in the Federal Register. However, the entity is not actually a cartel but rather a common reference in Venezuela to military officers and officials involved in corruption and other illegal activities.
Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the action was a "ridiculous lie" used to justify future military intervention. Washington's designation, which comes during a US military build-up in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela, could offer legal cover to potential direct military action. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune