U.S. Says New Terror Designation Will Make Aiding the Cartel of the Suns Punishable by Criminal Charges and Possible Expulsion

Colombian news channel NTN24 has received exclusive information from senior U.S. officials confirming not only that the Cartel de Los Soles will be designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization on November 24, but that anyone who assists the group will be subjected to criminal prosecution and possible expulsion from the United States.

A senior official told the network that the organization "is located in Venezuela and directed by Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking members of the illegitimate regime," adding that these officials "corrupted Venezuela's military, intelligence services, legislature, and judiciary."

The State Department told NTN24 that "individuals and entities that provide material support or resources to the Cartel of the Suns could face criminal charges and inadmissibility or expulsion from the United States." The official also described Maduro as the group's leader and said he is "responsible for the terrorist violence carried out by organizations including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel."

The upcoming designation differs from Treasury Department sanctions imposed in July 2025, which labeled the group as supporting terrorism. Under the State Department's authority, the Cartel of the Suns itself will be classified as a terrorist organization, placing it in the same legal category as Hezbollah, al Qaeda, and ISIS.

The move is part of broader U.S. pressure on the Maduro government. The administration has given Caracas seven days before the designation becomes official and says the decision will expand the government's legal basis for targeting cartel-linked networks.

Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Operation Southern Spear, stating that the United States is targeting "narco-terrorists" and defending "our homeland from the drugs that are killing our people." U.S. forces have conducted at least 21 strikes on suspected drug vessels since September, resulting in more than 80 deaths, according to U.S. Southern Command.

Some U.S. lawmakers have publicly warned that the designation provides a legal framework for potential military strikes. Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez was one of the most vocal ones on Monday posting on X:

"Remember that designating the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization allows us to conduct military strikes within the U.S.'s legal framework. Don't say then that you weren't warned. There's little time left"