Background on Nicolás Maduro and His Relevance
Nicolás Maduro, the current President of Venezuela, has been a central figure in political turmoil and international controversy since taking office in 2013. Succeeding the late Hugo Chávez, Maduro continued his predecessor’s socialist policies, which led to economic decline and widespread discontent among the Venezuelan population. The United States has been a prominent critic of Maduro’s regime, accusing him of corruption, human rights abuses, and drug trafficking.
The “Cartel of the Sun” Allegation
In 2020, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) accused Maduro of leading a real drug cartel known as the “Cartel of the Sun.” This claim was one of the main pillars supporting the justification for a military intervention in Venezuela to capture Maduro. The allegation suggested that Maduro’s regime was similar to notorious drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia, with a hierarchical structure and violent enforcement methods.
The Shift in DOJ’s Strategy
According to an article by The New York Times, the US Justice Department “silently” removed the claim that Maduro led a genuine drug cartel called the Cartel of the Sun. Instead, the DOJ now focuses on demonstrating a system of clientelism where drug trafficking money sustained political and military loyalties in Venezuela.
Political Context and Criticism
This shift in the DOJ’s strategy comes amidst a changing political climate in Washington, where critics of former President Donald Trump argue that the “cartel” narrative was used to justify pressure and intervention for oil-related purposes.
Trump himself, after Maduro’s capture, expressed the need for “total access” to Venezuela’s oil. Although the accusation persists, the emphasis would now shift from “narcoterrorism” to state corruption.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the original claim by the US DOJ against Nicolás Maduro? The US DOJ originally accused Maduro of leading a real drug cartel called the “Cartel of the Sun,” comparing it to Mexican and Colombian drug organizations.
- Why did the US DOJ change its stance? The DOJ removed the claim of Maduro leading a genuine drug cartel and now focuses on proving a system of clientelism fueled by drug trafficking money in Venezuela.
- How does this change affect the justification for potential military intervention in Venezuela? The original cartel allegation was one of the main pillars supporting military intervention. With this claim removed, the DOJ must reorient its strategy to demonstrate corruption rather than cartel leadership.
- What are critics saying about the original “cartel” narrative? Critics argue that the “cartel” narrative was used by the Trump administration to justify pressure and intervention in Venezuela for oil-related reasons.
