The Department and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. government designated the so-called Cartel de los Soles of Nicolás Maduro as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
For the U.S. government, the Cartel of the Suns is a criminal organization infiltrated within the structures of the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
Using the Venezuelan government as a cover, since the late 1990s, the Cartel de los Soles has been involved in drug trafficking to the United States, according to OFAC.
The Trump Administration directly accuses Nicolás Maduro of leading the cartel.
In this way, OFAC will confiscate the assets and interests of individuals associated with this organization that are located in the U.S. or under the control of U.S. persons.
On June 25, former head of intelligence for chavismo Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, known as el Pollo, who is considered by the U.S. to be one of the leaders of this organization, pleaded guilty to narcoterrorism, acknowledging the existence of the Cartel de los Soles.
“Carvajal Barrios and other members of the Cartel de los Soles abused the Venezuelan people and corrupted Venezuela's legitimate institutions, including parts of the Army, the intelligence apparatus, and the Legislative and Judicial branches, to facilitate the importation of tons of cocaine into the United States,” the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement.
Recently, the Tren de Aragua was designated as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and its key leaders as specially designated global terrorists (SDGT), according to U.S. laws.
It is one of the most violent and widespread criminal organizations in Latin America, originating in Venezuela and operating in at least 10 countries across the continent.
The United States government is offering a reward of up to 5 million dollars for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as Niño Guerrero, the top leader of the Tren de Aragua.
Trump had accused Maduro a few months ago of collaborating with drug trafficking and facilitating the operations of the Tren de Aragua on U.S. territory.
Frequently asked questions about the designation of the Cartel de los Soles and the Tren de Aragua as terrorist organizations
Why did the U.S. designate the Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization?
The U.S. government considers the Cartel de los Soles to be a criminal organization that uses Nicolás Maduro's regime to facilitate drug trafficking to the United States. This designation allows the U.S. to impose sanctions and confiscate assets of individuals associated with the cartel that are under U.S. jurisdiction.
What are the implications of designating the Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization?
The designation of the Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization allows the U.S. to take stronger action against this criminal gang, applying harsher sanctions and facilitating international cooperation for its dismantlement. The Tren de Aragua is known for its violence and criminal activities in various countries across Latin America.
What measures has the U.S. taken against Nicolás Maduro and his regime?
The U.S. has imposed various sanctions on the regime of Nicolás Maduro, including the confiscation of assets and restrictions on individuals linked to the Cartel de los Soles. Furthermore, the U.S. does not recognize Maduro's mandate following the 2024 elections and maintains a stance of maximum pressure to compel changes in the Venezuelan government.
What role does the Tren de Aragua play in organized crime in Latin America?
El Tren de Aragua is one of the most violent criminal organizations in the region, engaged in activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering. Their influence extends to at least 10 countries on the continent, and their designation as a terrorist organization seeks to curb their expansion and criminal activities.
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