The U.S. government is preparing to designate the Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, as announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This designation is set to take effect on November 24. Rubio claims that the cartel is led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking officials within what he describes as the illegitimate Maduro regime, which he alleges has corrupted various branches of the Venezuelan government, including the military and judiciary.

Rubio further asserts that the Cartel de los Soles, in conjunction with other designated foreign terrorist organizations such as Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, is responsible for drug trafficking and violence throughout the Americas. The U.S. has accused Maduro of collaborating with armed criminal groups involved in drug smuggling, allegations that Maduro has denied. In recent months, the U.S. military has conducted operations against vessels suspected of transporting drugs from South America, resulting in numerous fatalities.

Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command, stated that the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is a significant step in reinforcing U.S. commitment to combat transnational threats that could destabilize the region. This deployment is part of what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has termed Operation Southern Spear, marking a substantial increase in U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and South America.

Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, commanding the Ford's strike group, emphasized the mission's focus on protecting U.S. security against narco-terrorism. However, the administration has not provided evidence to substantiate claims that those killed in military operations were involved in drug trafficking.

President Trump has indicated that he is considering military options regarding Venezuela, stating that he has made decisions but cannot disclose them. Discussions among top officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, have reportedly focused on potential military actions in Venezuela. Concurrently, Venezuela has announced large-scale military exercises involving approximately 200,000 personnel, which many interpret as a response to U.S. military pressure.

The U.S. military's actions have drawn criticism from regional leaders, the United Nations human rights chief, and some lawmakers, who have called for clarity regarding the legal justifications for military strikes. A recent Senate vote rejected a measure that would have limited Trump's ability to conduct military operations in Venezuela without congressional approval.

Experts have expressed concern about the implications of U.S. military presence in Latin America, noting that it raises anxieties not only in Venezuela but across the region. The situation continues to evolve as the U.S. maintains a significant military posture in response to perceived threats.