The United States will classify the "Cartel de los Soles" as a terrorist group, a cartel that is said to be led by the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.

American Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that this cartel, along with other organizations such as Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, is responsible for terrorist violence and drug trafficking to the United States and Europe. He accused Venezuelan officials of corrupting state institutions, including the army and intelligence services.

The announcement came in the context of a new American aircraft carrier arriving in the Caribbean Sea, where the U.S. maintains a significant military presence to combat drug trafficking. Venezuela reacted, accusing Washington of using this pretext to impose a regime change and control its oil resources. Experts contest the existence of the "Cartel de los Soles," suggesting that it represents more of a system of corruption than a traditional cartel.