U.S. Invokes Contrived Narcotics Accusation as Possible Basis for Aggression Against Venezuela

In 2014, Héctor Landaeta, a Venezuelan journalist, published a book titled "Chavismo, Narcotraffico y Militares" (Chavismo, Drug Trafficking and Military), shedding light on the complexities of the Venezuelan political landscape. Two years later, Emili J. Blasco released his book "Bumerán Chávez: Los fraudes que llevaron al colapso de Venezuela" (Boomerang Chávez: The frauds that led to Venezuela's collapse), offering a critical analysis of the Venezuelan government's actions.

Fast forward to April 2025, and the US government designated Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros and the so-called "Cartel de los Soles" as "global terrorists." This move, part of a geopolitical strategy, aimed to criminalize the Venezuelan government. However, it's important to note that the Cartel de los Soles is more of a phenomenon than an organized group, as Landaeta had stated in 2015.

The Cartel de los Soles, often labelled as a major player in Venezuelan drug trafficking, has been a subject of controversy. There is no concrete evidence linking it to the Tren de Aragua, a term often used but not representative of the major Colombian and Mexican cartels with vertical lines of organization. In fact, the Tren de Aragua is more a loose term and lacks the structure associated with these powerful cartels.

The US government's decision to label the Cartel de los Soles as a global terrorist organization has raised eyebrows, with some comparing it to the Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq in 2002-03. Critics argue that the US administration is desperate to find a cause for intervention that otherwise does not exist.

Amidst these allegations, the US Treasury Department designated the Cartel of the Suns as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" in July 2025. The United States also increased the reward for the arrest of President Maduro Moros from USD 25 million to 50 million in the same month.

It is crucial to approach such matters with a discerning eye, understanding that the views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Venezuelanalysis editorial staff. The complexities of the Venezuelan political landscape and the allegations of drug trafficking and terrorism require careful examination, free from political bias and unfounded assumptions.

Source: Globetrotter.

U.S. Invokes Contrived Narcotics Accusation as Possible Basis for Aggression Against Venezuela