Background on the Cartel of the Suns and its Connection to Nicolás Maduro
The United States Treasury Department, through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), has imposed sanctions on a Venezuelan group known as the “Cartel of the Suns,” classifying it as a global terrorist entity specially designated.
The OFAC, responsible for determining sanctions according to US foreign policy, claims that the group is led by President Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking individuals within his regime.
Support for Drug Cartels
The OFAC asserts that the cartel provides material support to the Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, criminal organizations previously designated as terrorist groups by the Trump administration.
Statement from the Treasury Secretary
Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, stated in a press release: “Today’s action further exposes how Maduro’s illegitimate regime facilitates narcoterrorism through terrorist groups like the Cartel of the Suns.”
Trump Administration’s Allegations and Previous Actions
The Trump administration has accused Maduro and several of his key collaborators of “narcoterrorism,” offering a reward for their capture. These claims have been rejected by the leftist Venezuelan leader.
According to the Trump administration, the Cartel of the Suns aims to use an illegal drug influx as a weapon against the United States.
President Trump has targeted several groups south of the US border, alleging they channel large quantities of dangerous illicit drugs into the United States and are involved in extortion, human trafficking, and other violent crimes.
Deteriorating US-Venezuela Relations
Relations between Washington and Caracas have been deteriorating for years. In 2019, the United States challenged Maduro’s fraudulent re-election, widely condemned by the international community.
This year, Trump announced a partial travel ban on individuals from Venezuela, among a dozen countries.
Maduro announced on Thursday that the United States had allowed Chevron, a major oil company, to resume operations in Venezuela after previously imposing sanctions. Washington has not confirmed this news.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Nicolás Maduro? Nicolás Maduro is the current President of Venezuela, who has been in power since 2013. He is a member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and succeeded Hugo Chávez after his death.
- What is the Cartel of the Suns? The Cartel of the Suns is a Venezuelan criminal organization that, according to the US Treasury Department, supports drug cartels and is linked to President Nicolás Maduro.
- Why was the Cartel of the Suns designated as a global terrorist entity? The US Treasury Department, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), classified the Cartel of the Suns as a global terrorist entity due to its alleged support for drug cartels and material assistance to criminal organizations.
- What actions has the Trump administration taken against Venezuela? The Trump administration has accused Maduro and his collaborators of narcoterrorism, imposed sanctions on Venezuela, and announced a partial travel ban for Veneseulan nationals.
