Republican Rep. Celebrates Designation of Cartel De Los Soles As Terrorist Organization: 'Necessary Step Toward Ending Maduro's Criminal Reign'

Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar celebrated the Trump administration's designation of the Cartel De Los Soles as a terrorist organization, calling it a "necessary step toward ending (Nicolas) Maduro's criminal reign."

"The Cartel de Los Soles is not just a criminal enterprise. It is a terrorist machine run and protected by the Maduro regime," Salazar said in a social media publication following the announcement.

The Trump administration has given the regime seven days before officially designating it as a terrorist organization, a move that paves the way for strikes against its members and infrastructure.

The Department of State said in a statement that the designation will go into effect on November 24. "Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela's legitimate government. Cartel de los Soles by and with other designated FTOs including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel are responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe," the release added.

It is the latest escalation in the Trump administration's pressure campaign against the regime. Last Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Operation Southern Spear, which is aimed at targeting "narco-terrorists" and defend "our homeland from the drugs that are killing our people."

"The Western Hemisphere is America's neighborhood - and we will protect it," Hegseth added.

The publication has led to speculation about whether the administration will further escalate its actions in the region or is just putting a name to the operation, which has carried out at least 21 strikes against alleged drug vessels, killing more than 80 people.

Moreover, President Donald Trump was presented with an updated list of targets to strike Venezuela if he were to give the order, according to a new report.

CBS News detailed that senior military officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented Trump with the options, which include strikes on land. No final decision has been made, the outlet noted.

Trump said on Sunday he may hold talks with Maduro. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, he said the U.S. "may be having some discussions with Maduro," adding that "they would like to talk." He did not elaborate.

Asked if the designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization will lead to more direct measures against Maduro, Trump said "it allows us to do that, but we haven't said we're going to do that."