The Venezuelan government has formally rejected a plan by the United States to designate the 'Cartel de los Soles' as a foreign terrorist organization.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil stated that Caracas views the allegation as a "new and ridiculous fabrication," denying the existence of such a group. Conversely, US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, assert their intention to proceed with the designation.
Allegations from the US suggest that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and senior military figures have utilized the 'Cartel de los Soles' network for cocaine trafficking, reportedly in collaboration with Colombian armed groups. A 2020 US Justice Department indictment specifically accused Maduro and allies of conspiring to distribute cocaine into the United States, a charge Maduro categorically denies. Researchers note that the term 'Cartel de los Soles,' which first emerged in the 1990s, refers to Venezuelan military officers allegedly involved in drug trafficking and is not considered a traditional cartel.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/venezuela-rejects-us-plan-to-label-cartel-de-los-soles-a-terrorist-group-10383555/