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The United States government officially designated the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, and several high-ranking officials of his regime as members of an international terrorist organization by including the Cartel de los Soles on the State Department's list.
The notification was made official on November 24th in the Federal Register. This measure provides "new tools" to Washington to expand its military campaign in the Caribbean, where the Gerald Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, is leading Operation Southern Lance.
The U.S. fleet, with more than 15,000 soldiers and F-35 fighters, has already destroyed around twenty drug boats in recent bombings.
Donald Trump has not confirmed imminent actions, but sources cited by Reuters claim that the second military phase will begin soon, possibly with covert missions in Venezuela.
The State Department accuses Maduro of leading the Cartel of the Suns, a network of military members and officials linked to drug trafficking. The designation blocks his assets and international transactions and could pave the way for more aggressive operations.
Washington maintains that its aim is to combat drug trafficking, but in Caracas, there are fears that it may be the prelude to an offensive to overthrow the Chávez leader.
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