Drug Cartels
U.S. labels Venezuela-linked ‘Cartel de los Soles’ a terrorist organization tied to Maduro allies
Reported by AI Image generated by AI Fact checked
The Trump administration has escalated its campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by designating the so‑called Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, according to an NPR report. The move, published in the Federal Register on Monday, accuses senior Venezuelan military and political figures of drug trafficking and links the network to Maduro’s government.
Authorities in Colombia and Spain have dismantled a major network used by drug cartels to launder millions through cryptocurrency. The two-and-a-half-year investigation, dubbed Operation Gulupa, targeted the Clan del Golfo and revealed sophisticated methods to hide illicit funds from cocaine sales. At least $46 million was laundered via digital wallets and shell companies across multiple countries.
Reported by AI
A group of 75 Democratic US lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on January 9, 2026, firmly opposing any unilateral military action against cartels in Mexico without the Mexican government's consent. They warned that such a move would violate Mexico's sovereignty, destroy bilateral cooperation, and have severe economic and security repercussions. The letter responds to recent statements by President Donald Trump about attacking cartels on the ground.