U.S. Designates Venezuela’s ‘Cartel de los Soles’ a Foreign Terrorist Organization as Caribbean Buildup Intensifies

Overview

• The State Department’s designation was published on Nov. 24, with Washington tying the network to Maduro and reiterating a $50 million reward for information leading to his capture or conviction.
• Venezuela rejected the move as a “ridiculous” fabrication meant to justify illegal intervention, and Maduro called for unity while vowing the country would not be defeated.
• U.S. forces expanded regional operations, deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford and other assets and carrying out at least 21 strikes on suspected trafficker vessels that reports say killed about 83 people.
• The White House signaled the maritime strikes will continue, Operation Lança do Sul is active, and Gen. Dan Caine visited U.S. assets in Puerto Rico ahead of meetings in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Trump authorized CIA covert activity inside Venezuela and, according to Axios, is exploring a phone call with Maduro, as airlines suspended flights following an FAA warning over heightened military activity.