Venezuela Slams US 'Narco-Terrorism' Claims as Regime Change Ploy

Venezuela's government has launched a fierce rebuke against the United States following Washington's decision to designate a Venezuelan organization known as the 'Cartel de los Soles' (Cartel of the Suns) as a terrorist group, with Caracas characterizing the move as part of a broader strategy to justify regime change operations.

Disputed Terrorist Designation

The Trump administration's State Department formally classified the alleged Venezuelan criminal organization as a terrorist entity on Monday, despite significant questions surrounding the group's actual existence and operational capacity. Intelligence experts and regional analysts have expressed skepticism about the coherence and structure of what Washington claims is an organized narco-trafficking network operating within Venezuela's institutional framework.

Venezuelan officials dismissed the allegations as 'ridiculous hogwash,' arguing that the United States is manufacturing terrorism narratives to legitimize military intervention and political destabilization efforts against President Nicolás Maduro's government. This latest escalation represents a continuation of increasingly aggressive U.S. foreign policy toward the Bolivarian Republic.

Caribbean Military Buildup Intensifies

The terrorist designation coincides with documented increases in American military presence throughout the Caribbean region, including enhanced naval patrols and expanded intelligence operations. U.S. forces have conducted what officials describe as counter-narcotics missions, though critics argue these activities constitute preparation for potential military action against Venezuela.

Recent airstrikes and military positioning have raised alarm among regional observers, who warn that aggressive U.S. posturing could destabilize the entire South American continent. Left-wing European politicians have specifically cautioned that current trajectories risk plunging the region into what they term 'a torrent of bloodshed.'

Geopolitical Implications

The narco-terrorism accusations reflect broader geopolitical tensions between Washington and Caracas, rooted in disputes over Venezuela's oil resources, regional influence, and ideological orientation. The Maduro government has consistently maintained that U.S. sanctions and pressure campaigns constitute economic warfare designed to force political capitulation.

Regional powers including Russia and China have expressed support for Venezuelan sovereignty, while organizations like the Organization of American States remain divided on appropriate responses to the ongoing crisis. The terrorist designation potentially opens new avenues for U.S. legal and military action while complicating diplomatic resolution efforts.

International Response

European Union officials have called for de-escalation and renewed dialogue, emphasizing that unilateral military solutions risk creating humanitarian catastrophe. Meanwhile, other Latin American governments find themselves caught between U.S. pressure and concerns about regional stability, highlighting the complex dynamics surrounding Venezuelan crisis management.