The United States military conducted a series of strikes in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on Saturday, marking a significant escalation in tensions. This action comes two months after the US State Department formally designated the Cartel de los Soles, a group it alleges is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and senior government figures, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO).
The Terrorist Designation and Narco-Terrorism Charges
In its designation, the US accused the Cartel de los Sole of being responsible for terrorist violence across the hemisphere and for trafficking large quantities of drugs into the United States and Europe. Other groups like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel were also mentioned in the context of this crackdown. The State Department vowed to use all available tools to protect national security and cut off resources to these entities.
The roots of the Cartel de los Soles trace back to the early 1990s in Venezuelan media reports. The name, which translates to 'Cartel of the Suns', originates from the sun-shaped insignia on the epaulettes of generals in the National Guard. The group first came under scrutiny following drug-trafficking allegations against a general overseeing counter-narcotics operations.
The legal basis for US action was laid earlier. In March 2020, a US federal court charged President Maduro with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses. The indictment, supported by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), alleged that Maduro and 14 other officials conspired with a dissident faction of Colombia's FARC to flood the US with cocaine, using Venezuela as a key transit route.
Then-Attorney General William Barr stated the charges aimed to root out a corrupt system within the Venezuelan government designed to enrich its highest levels. The US also placed a bounty on Maduro, raising it from $15 million in 2020 to $25 million in January 2025, and finally to $50 million on August 7, 2025.
The Military Strikes and Immediate Fallout
The recent military operation saw explosions rock Caracas, with residents reporting low-flying aircraft. The Venezuelan government condemned the act as an imperialist attack targeting both civilian and military facilities and called for public demonstrations. The intense attack lasted for less than half an hour, sparking panic and a flood of social media posts from witnesses.
In the chaotic aftermath, the location of President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores became unknown. Following unverified claims by former US President Donald Trump about their capture, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded proof of life for the couple. Under Venezuelan law, Rodríguez would assume power if the president is incapacitated, though no official confirmation of such a transfer was provided.
Uncertain Future and Regional Implications
The situation remains highly volatile. It is still unclear if the strikes resulted in any casualties on either side. The US action represents a direct application of its policy to confront groups it labels as narco-terrorist organisations, with the Cartel de los Soles at the centre of this campaign.
This development plunges Venezuela into deeper uncertainty and raises serious questions about the future of its leadership and the potential for further regional instability. The international community is closely watching for the next steps from both the US administration and the Venezuelan state apparatus.
