The United States will officially label Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization on November 24, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The US alleges that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and senior officials control the cartel.
The State Department said the group works with other designated terrorist organizations, including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel. It accused the network of fueling violence across the Americas and trafficking drugs into the US and Europe.
Rubio announced the move as the US expands its military presence in the Caribbean.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier arrived in the region on Sunday, adding to pressure on Maduro.
US forces also carried out their 21st known strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat over the weekend.
Trump told reporters that the designation gives the US military the authority to target Maduro’s assets and infrastructure inside Venezuela.
He added that the administration has not yet decided to take that step.
“It allows us to do that,” Trump said. “We may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we’ll see how that turns out.”
He also claimed Maduro’s allies wanted to talk, but he offered no details.
Trump said he does not believe Congress must authorize military action in Venezuela. He stressed that he would keep lawmakers informed but not seek approval.
Legal experts have questioned whether recent US strikes on drug boats are justified without a declared conflict.
The terrorist designation allows the US to freeze assets, block entry into the country, and prosecute anyone who provides material support. It does not grant automatic authority for lethal force.
Congress has seven days to challenge the designation, but it will take effect if lawmakers do nothing.
Rubio said earlier this year that the US must treat the cartel as a terrorist group, not just a criminal network.
The State Department’s announcement follows a July decision by the US Treasury to sanction Cartel de los Soles as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” group.
Treasury officials said the cartel supports Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel.
They noted that the group’s name comes from the sun insignias used by Venezuelan military officers.
In August, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture on US drug charges.
No conclusive evidence has been made public, and Venezuela has denied all claims.
Experts say the cartel’s structure is murky. Some argue that “Cartel de los Soles” is a journalistic phrase for corruption within Venezuela’s security forces.
Yet analysts agree that drug trafficking in the region relies on high-level political protection.
CNN.