The reported move could follow weeks of US “narcoterrorism” strikes on boats off the Venezuelan coast that have killed about 80
US President Donald Trump plans to speak directly with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro despite Washington’s move to designate him as the head of a terrorist organization, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing administration officials.
The US has formally designated the ‘Cartel of the Suns’ – a purported criminal network alleged to operate within Venezuela’s security services – as a foreign terrorist organization, putting it in the same category as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Announcing the step on Monday, the US Treasury reiterated long-standing allegations that Maduro, whose legitimacy Washington disputes, heads the group.
According to Axios, Trump’s move marks a notable turn in his “gunboat diplomacy” toward Venezuela – and could indicate that US missile strikes or ground operations are unlikely in the near term.
“Nobody is planning to go in and shoot him or snatch him – at this point. I wouldn’t say never, but that’s not the plan right now,” an anonymous official familiar with the matter told Axios.
“In the meantime, we’re going to blow up boats shipping drugs. We’re going to stop the drug trafficking,” the official reportedly added.
No date has been set for a potential call between Trump and Maduro, which is “in the planning stages.” Axios reported, citing another US official.
The move follows nearly two months of US airstrikes on small boats off Venezuela’s coast, actions the Pentagon says target “narcoterrorism” and that have killed about 80 people.
The term ‘Cartel of the Suns’ emerged in the 1990s as a media label for alleged corruption among Venezuelan officers who wore sun-shaped insignia. In 2020, the US indicted Maduro and 14 current or former officials on drug-trafficking and organized-crime charges, alleging they collectively ran the cartel. Maduro has repeatedly denied the drug trafficking allegations and warned the US against launching “a crazy war.”
Trump has also reportedly greenlighted a range of measures to pressure Venezuela and prepare for a possible broader military campaign, including covert CIA operations targeting Maduro’s government.
Caracas has denounced the US military buildup as a violation of its sovereignty and an attempted coup, putting its forces on high alert. Maduro, meanwhile, has said Venezuela is prepared for “face-to-face” talks with Washington.
