US Sanctions Venezuelan Gang Allegedly Linked to Maduro

The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the Cártel de los Soles, a gang in Venezuela, accusing it of being led by President Nicolás Maduro and members of his government.

According to the Treasury, the cartel provides material support to foreign terrorist organizations, including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, facilitating drug trafficking to the United States.

Treasury Secretary Scott Besed stated that these measures further expose the Maduro regime's facilitation of narcoterrorism. The Trump administration also indicted Maduro for "narcoterrorism" during its term.

The Cártel de los Soles reportedly derives its name from the sun insignia on the uniforms of high-ranking Venezuelan military officers. The U.S. claims the organization helps Tren de Aragua use illegal drug flow as a weapon against the U.S.

Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan-based international criminal organization involved in extortion, murder, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. Relations between Caracas and Washington remain strained, with no diplomatic ties since 2019.