Venezuelan leader Maduro branded as a 'drug trafficking terrorist' jeopardizing U.S. a year post-disputed election by Rubio
In August 2025, the U.S. authorities have intensified sanctions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the Cartel de los Soles for their alleged involvement in narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has designated the Cartel de los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization. This designation identifies the criminal group, headed by Maduro and other senior Venezuelan officials, as a group that supports foreign terrorist organizations like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel.
The U.S. government has increased the financial reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million, reflecting the intensified pressure against him personally. These measures include expanded sanctions targeting individuals and entities linked to Maduro’s regime, with a strong focus on disrupting drug trafficking and narco-terrorism networks.
Maduro, in response, announced plans to deploy 4.5 million militia members across Venezuela, citing U.S. threats and sanction actions, indicating heightened tensions between the Maduro government and the U.S.
In addition, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada have also imposed new sanctions on Venezuelan individuals and entities, extending and reapplying restrictive measures through at least January 2026.
The Cartel de los Soles is accused of being headed by Venezuelan high-ranking individuals, including Maduro, and corrupting various government institutions in Venezuela. The U.S. alleges that the Cartel de los Soles provides material support to Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, which have been classified as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. administration.
The municipal elections taking place in Venezuela are for mayoral positions and thousands of council seats. However, the Cartel de los Soles is not mentioned as being responsible for these elections.
Senator Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, has been vocal in his criticism of Maduro, accusing him of manipulating Venezuela's electoral system to maintain his illegitimate grip on power for years. Rubio has also stated that the scheduling of the municipal elections on the eve of the anniversary of the stolen July 28 presidential election is an attempt by the regime to suppress the will of the Venezuelan people.
Rubio has vowed to continue working with partners to hold the Maduro regime accountable for its corruption, criminal activities, and illegitimate actions. The U.S. Treasury Department has also pledged to continue cracking down on violent organizations including Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel, and their facilitators, like Cartel de los Soles.
The ongoing sanctions form a multilateral effort primarily led by the U.S. and its allies to isolate Maduro’s regime economically and politically, focusing especially on its alleged drug trafficking and terrorist facilitation activities. As of late August 2025, there is no evidence of any easing or lifting of these sanctions.
- Despite the ongoing sanctions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the Cartel de los Soles, the Venezuelan government announced plans to deploy 4.5 million militia members across the country, possibly increasing tensions further.
- The U.S. media has been actively reporting on the allegations against Maduro and the Cartel de los Soles, with Senator Marco Rubio vocal in his criticism of the Venezuelan president's involvement in manipulating the electoral system.
- Amidst the intensified war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation focusing on drug trafficking and terrorism, the general news headlines also include the upcoming municipal elections in Venezuela, which are being criticized for alleged manipulation by the Maduro regime.
