Key Concepts
- Cartel de los Soles: Alleged drug trafficking organization in Venezuela, purportedly led by high-ranking officials including President Nicolas Maduro.
- Hybrid Criminal Governance: A system where criminal activities are integrated into the state's governance structure to maintain power.
- Criminal Rents: Profits derived from illegal activities, used by the Venezuelan government to secure loyalty.
- Terrorist Designation: A US policy that labels an organization as terrorist, enabling further pressure and sanctions.
- War on Drugs and War on Terrorism Fusion: A new US counter-narcotic strategy combining elements of both campaigns.
- Pacific vs. Atlantic/Caribbean Routes: The primary routes for cocaine trafficking from Colombia, with the Pacific being more significant for US-bound drugs.
Venezuela's Rejection of US Terrorist Designation for "Cartel de los Soles"
Venezuela has officially rejected a decision by the United States to designate an alleged drug cartel operating within its territory as a terrorist organization. The US claims this group, referred to as the "Cartel de los Soles," is composed of high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including President Nicolas Maduro. This designation is seen as a move by the US to exert new forms of pressure on Maduro and his government. Caracas, however, denies the existence of such a cartel, dismissing Washington's claims as a "ridiculous lie" intended to justify potential military intervention.
Understanding the "Cartel de los Soles"
Jeremy McDermott, co-founder and co-director of Inside Crime, clarifies the nature of the "Cartel de los Soles." He explains that it is not a singular, vertically integrated drug trafficking organization as presented by the US. Instead, drug trafficking through Venezuela is managed by a series of largely unconnected cells, particularly embedded within the military. The name "Cartel de los Soles" originates from the stars worn by Venezuelan National Guard generals on their shoulders. McDermott emphasizes that this terrorist designation does not fundamentally alter the existing methods of drug trafficking via Venezuela.
The Venezuelan Government's Involvement: Hybrid Criminal Governance
McDermott posits that the Venezuelan government and President Maduro are involved not through direct leadership of a cartel, but through a system of "hybrid criminal governance" designed to maintain power. This system has become necessary due to Venezuela's economic collapse, hyperinflation, and sanctions, which have pushed the government to the brink of bankruptcy. Maduro cannot afford to pay his generals and senior political figures adequate salaries (less than $100 a month in devalued bolivars). Consequently, he secures their loyalty by granting them not only permission but also facilitation to access "criminal rents" from various illicit activities, including the drug trade, gold smuggling, and other forms of contraband. Therefore, the system headed by Maduro is best understood as a governance model rather than a traditional drug trafficking organization.
Implications of the US Terrorist Designation
The designation of the "Cartel de los Soles" as a terrorist organization grants the Trump administration additional judicial tools. This move appears to represent a significant shift in US counter-narcotic strategy, merging the "war on drugs" with the "war on terrorism." This approach is being adopted at a time when traditional "war on drugs" efforts in Latin America have shown limited success, with drug production and trafficking continuing to rise. The designation may also serve a political purpose, appealing to Trump's base.
Legal and Military Escalation Concerns
While McDermott refrains from predicting President Trump's actions, he notes that the designation could potentially circumvent legal difficulties. There has been international criticism of US actions, such as strikes on oil facilities that resulted in significant casualties, which the UN has deemed violations of international law. Some European nations are reportedly hesitant to share intelligence with the US regarding Caribbean activities. The terrorist designation might be a strategy to overcome these legal hurdles and facilitate further action.
Venezuela's Role in Drug Trafficking to the US
Contrary to the implication that Venezuela is a primary producer and trafficker of drugs to the US, McDermott states that Venezuela is not a significant departure point for cocaine destined for the United States. The vast majority of cocaine leaving Colombia for the US travels via the Pacific Ocean, not the Atlantic and Caribbean seaboards, and then through Central America. Evidence suggests that the Caribbean is currently more important for cocaine shipments heading to Europe than to the United States. Therefore, from a drug trafficking perspective, deploying naval assets like an aircraft carrier to the Pacific would be more strategically relevant for interdicting US-bound drugs.
Conclusion
The US designation of the "Cartel de los Soles" as a terrorist organization is a complex geopolitical and counter-narcotic maneuver. Venezuela vehemently denies the existence of such a cartel and views the designation as a pretext for intervention. Experts suggest that the US is targeting a system of "hybrid criminal governance" where illicit activities are intertwined with the Venezuelan state's survival strategy, driven by economic hardship and the need to maintain loyalty among its officials. While the designation provides the US with new tools, its effectiveness and potential for military escalation remain subjects of debate, particularly given the existing international legal scrutiny and the actual routes of drug trafficking from Colombia.
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