U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a forceful condemnation of Nicolás Maduro, officially stating that the United States does not recognize Maduro as the president of Venezuela. Instead, Rubio labeled him the leader of the Cartel de Los Soles, a powerful narco-terrorist organization that Rubio says has “taken possession of the country.”
A Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy
Rubio’s declaration marks a significant escalation in American policy toward the Maduro regime, framing it not as a mere political adversary, but as a criminal enterprise. The announcement comes on the heels of a formal designation of Cartel de Los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), an action quietly taken by President Donald Trump earlier this year at the urging of Senator Rick Scott (R-FL).
Senator Scott, who made public a letter he sent to the president in March, praised the designation, stating, “Americans are safer now that it’s harder for this disgusting gang to terrorize our country by flooding it with deadly drugs.”
Justice Department Indictments and Drug Trafficking Allegations
Secretary Rubio reiterated that Maduro has been previously indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on charges of narcotics trafficking, specifically for orchestrating the movement of cocaine into the United States and Europe. He accused the regime of leveraging Venezuela’s resources and state institutions to fuel drug operations and maintain control through fear and violence.
“For years, Maduro and his cronies have manipulated Venezuela’s electoral system to maintain their illegitimate grip on power,” Rubio said. “He defied the will of the Venezuelan people by declaring himself the winner of a fraudulent election.”
Commitment to Democracy in Venezuela
“The United States remains firm in its unwavering support to Venezuela’s restoration of democratic order and justice,” Rubio stated, reaffirming Washington’s recognition of Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly and its efforts to transition the country back to democracy.
Rubio’s rhetoric signals the United States is not merely condemning Maduro’s government, but categorizing it as a direct threat to international security and American national interests.
The Rise of Tren de Aragua
The Rubio State Department has also taken action against Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan prison gang with transnational reach that expanded rapidly during the Biden administration. In March, Tren de Aragua was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization, placing it in the same category as groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda.
The gang, known for its brutal violence and deep involvement in human trafficking, arms smuggling, and drug distribution, has spread across Latin America and into the United States, aided by relaxed border policies in previous years. Intelligence agencies have linked the group directly to the Maduro regime’s strategy of exporting chaos as a geopolitical weapon.
A New Era of Confrontation
Rubio’s declaration adds to growing bipartisan concerns over Venezuela’s role in hemispheric instability and its ties to criminal and terrorist networks. With formal terrorist designations now in place for both Cartel de Los Soles and Tren de Aragua, the United States appears poised for a more aggressive policy stance toward Caracas, including potential sanctions, asset seizures, and expanded law enforcement cooperation with allies in the region.
As Rubio put it, “This is not just about Venezuela. This is about protecting the American people from the deadly consequences of a criminal regime masquerading as a government.”
With growing support in Congress and renewed focus from the Trump administration, the American government is making its position clear: it no longer views Maduro as a failed leader — but as the head of a global criminal enterprise.
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