OVERVIEW

Cartel de los Soles is a Venezuela-based network of loosely affiliated criminal groups that traffic drugs to the United States and Europe. The network operates with the patronage of senior Venezuelan Government officials and working-level civilian, military, and intelligence officials, who protect and facilitate the network’s operations in exchange for a cut of its revenue. Cartel de los Soles provides material support to other foreign terrorist organizations, including Tren de Aragua and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

OPERATING AREAS
Venezuela

MEMBERS
Unknown

TACTICS AND TARGETS
Cartel de los Soles generates profits through drug trafficking and probably has access to Venezuelan military weapons. The network has also cooperated with the FARC to transport tons of cocaine into the United States since at least 1999.

TERRORIST GROUP DESIGNATION
The US State Department designated Cartel de los Soles as foreign terrorist organization in November 2025.

KEY LEADERS