FLASH NEWS: U.S. Classifies Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as Terrorist Group Opening New Military Options.

Announced on November 21, 2025, by the US Department of War, the terrorist designation for Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles will take effect on November 24, 2025. The move expands Washington's legal and military tools in the region and against Venezuela, with Pentagon officials signaling a more aggressive counter-narco terrorism posture.

On November 21, 2025, the US Department of War confirmed that Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles will be formally designated a terrorist group, effective November 24, 2025. This signals a significant escalation in US regional security strategy, expanding Washington's legal and military tools in the region. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, in a Pentagon media interview, stated the decision brings "a whole bunch of new options" for confronting narco terrorists in the region.
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U.S. Navy Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106), right, conduct a passage transit in the international waters of the Caribbean Sea, Nov. 13, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

Speaking at the Pentagon, the U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, said the terror designation provides “a whole bunch of new options” for countering the criminal network, which is believed to be led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his military allies. “Nothing is off the table,” he added, though he was careful to emphasize that no immediate plans for land-based operations inside Venezuela have been disclosed. The remarks, however, point to a major shift in posture and signal that offensive military action beyond maritime operations remains under consideration.

The Cartel de los Soles, or “Cartel of the Suns,” has long been accused by U.S. intelligence agencies of trafficking cocaine, weapons, and illegal gold, while exploiting Venezuela’s state institutions to operate with impunity. The name refers to the sun insignias worn by Venezuelan generals, many of whom are suspected of commanding cartel-linked logistics and transport networks using military assets.

What the U.S. intelligence community knows about the Cartel de los Soles paints a picture of a deeply embedded criminal-political enterprise operating at the highest levels of the Venezuelan state. According to classified assessments reviewed by senior defense officials, the cartel functions not as a typical drug trafficking organization but as a parallel shadow government with its own financial networks, security forces, and international partners. It is believed to control portions of the military, intelligence agencies, customs offices, and even the judiciary, enabling large-scale smuggling operations through official state channels. The cartel reportedly manages clandestine airstrips and maritime corridors for cocaine exports, facilitates weapons trafficking with foreign actors, and launders billions through regional banking hubs. U.S. sources also suggest that elements of the cartel maintain ties with foreign intelligence services and militant groups, further justifying its classification as a terrorist threat.

Since September, U.S. Southern Command has conducted over 20 lethal maritime strikes in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific targeting cartel-affiliated narco-terrorists. These operations, carried out by U.S. Navy vessels, drones, and special operations elements, were based on confirmed intelligence. According to a senior defense official, all targets were vetted through joint command channels and reflect a heightened tempo of kinetic operations under expanded authorities.

The U.S. Navy currently maintains a high-readiness maritime task force deployed in the Caribbean as part of a classified campaign to confront cartel operations. This deployment includes Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, Littoral Combat Ships, and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutters have also been integrated into the mission set, providing law enforcement flexibility and command-and-control support. The Navy’s presence is supported by ISR assets, aerial refueling platforms, and intelligence-sharing arrangements with regional partners, including Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Guyana.

While Secretary Hegseth declined to address whether the U.S. military is preparing for direct strikes inside Venezuela, he drew a clear connection between current operations and America’s two-decade experience fighting terrorism overseas. “We’ve been doing this for 20 years,” Hegseth said, referring to the global war on terror. “We know how to dismantle hostile networks wherever they operate.”

The Foreign Terrorist Organization designation significantly alters the legal framework under which the U.S. can operate. Once in effect, it enables the use of Title 10 military authorities for direct-action missions, authorizes targeting financial facilitators, and criminalizes any material support to individuals or institutions linked to the cartel. It also paves the way for the U.S. Treasury to freeze assets, impose sanctions, and pursue international cooperation to isolate the group from global financial systems.

Defense planners now face the task of integrating counter-narco-terror missions into existing operational structures. Navy and Marine units operating in the Caribbean are likely to see an increase in mission scope, while special operations forces are expected to assume broader roles in reconnaissance, interdiction, and direct action. Analysts expect upcoming procurement requests for enhanced maritime ISR platforms, rapid-deploy strike systems, and special operations enablers suited for jungle and littoral environments.

Venezuela has responded with rhetorical condemnation and increased military activity in key coastal zones. Satellite imagery confirms a rise in patrol boat activity and aircraft dispersion patterns near naval bases in La Guaira and Puerto Cabello. Venezuelan state media has accused Washington of preparing the groundwork for military intervention, while pro-regime forces have been placed on heightened alert across key border and coastal installations.

This designation signals a paradigm shift: the US now treats certain drug cartels as terrorist threats to regional stability. As a result, defense strategy, resource allocation, and partnerships in the Western Hemisphere are expected to adjust to counter this emerging threat landscape.

As the designation becomes official on November 24, 2025, Army Recognition will continue providing exclusive updates on military deployments, operational planning, and defense industry implications tied to America’s expanding war against narco-terrorism.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.