Trump Labels Maduro a Terrorist

The Trump administration has escalated its confrontation with Venezuela by designating President Nicolás Maduro and his allies as members of a foreign terrorist organisation. The move targets the so-called “Cartel de los Soles”, a term used to describe alleged corrupt Venezuelan officials, but it is not an official criminal group.

The designation allows the United States to impose tougher sanctions and, according to U.S. officials, creates room for expanded military options inside Venezuela. Under “Operation Southern Spear”, the U.S. has already deployed warships and thousands of troops to the region. In recent days, bomber and fighter jet flights have also been conducted near Venezuela’s coast.

Maduro has repeatedly denied any involvement in drug trafficking and dismisses the existence of the cartel altogether. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that three international airlines cancelled flights departing Venezuela over the weekend after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned of “potentially hazardous” airspace.

Both leaders have signalled some openness to talks, with Trump saying he might speak with Maduro “at a certain time”.