The United States has announced its intention to designate Cartel de los Soles, a group allegedly led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The decision, revealed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, will take effect from November 24. This designation effectively labels Maduro as a terrorist, a claim he vehemently denies. The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to combat drug trafficking and exert pressure on Maduro, amid ongoing speculation about potential US military intervention in Venezuela. The FTO designation empowers the US government to aggressively target the group and its associates, making it illegal to provide them with support. While the US Treasury Department has previously imposed sanctions on Cartel de los Soles, the new classification escalates the response, unlocking more robust enforcement mechanisms. The US alleges that the group, which includes members of Maduro’s inner circle and the military, is involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining. However, no public evidence has been presented to substantiate Maduro’s direct involvement in these activities. The Trump administration’s characterization of Maduro as a drug trafficker is widely viewed as a potential justification for targeting him or his associates in a military campaign. Tensions have escalated since October, when Maduro accused the US of ‘fabricating a new war’ following the deployment of the USS Gerald Ford to the Caribbean. President Trump has hinted at potential discussions with Maduro but has yet to provide details. The US has also criticized Venezuela for its alleged failure to address cartel activity, which Trump claims contributes to the fentanyl crisis in the US, despite evidence pointing to Mexico and Asia as primary sources. Since September, the US has conducted airstrikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia, resulting in at least 83 deaths. This marks the largest US military deployment to the Caribbean in decades.