The U.S. Department of Justice has significantly altered the charges against captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, reducing references to the “Cartel de los Soles.” The updated indictment no longer identifies Maduro as a leader of the alleged drug trafficking organization, instead characterizing it as a “system of clientelism.”
A 2020 U.S. grand jury indictment alleged that Maduro “aided in managing and ultimately leading the Cartel de los Soles as he ascended to power in Venezuela.” These arguments were repeated by then-President Donald Trump as justification for his administration’s anti-drug campaign in the Caribbean.
Washington previously accused the leadership of the Cartel de los Soles of supporting organizations like the Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel as part of a conspiracy to traffic drugs into the United States.
Change in Indictment
However, the revised indictment, modified by prosecutors hours after Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in Caracas by U.S. forces, tones down the previous language and removes references to the alleged cartel as a real organization, though it maintains accusations against Maduro for drug trafficking.
The revised document states that Maduro “participates in, perpetuates, and protects a culture of corruption in which powerful Venezuelan elites enrich themselves through drug trafficking and the protection of their drug-trafficking partners.”
The indictment also mentions that these profits flow to corrupt officials who “operate within a system of clientelism led by those at the top, known as the Cartel de los Soles.” This is one of only two mentions of the alleged group in the updated text, a stark contrast to the dozens of appearances of the term in the 2020 indictment.
Reactions to the Capture
This shift contrasts with public statements made by Trump, who stated on Saturday that the military operation to capture Maduro was part of a broader offensive that included dismantling the so-called Cartel de los Soles.
The United States officially designated the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 2025, after previously designating it as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
This decision was supported by governments in Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru, while Venezuela and Cuba rejected the accusation, calling it an “invention of the CIA” or a “Washington fetish.”
Analysts and experts in the South American country have questioned the actual existence of the network as an organized drug trafficking group. The first allegations of its existence date back to 2004, when journalist Mauro Marcano accused National Guard officials of involvement in drug trafficking.
Appearance Before the Court
Maduro and Flores appeared in U.S. court in New York City on Monday for the first time, after being transported there following their capture early Saturday morning in an operation ordered by Trump.
Maduro pleaded not guilty to charges of narcoterrorism and weapons possession, stating that he is “a prisoner of war.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cartel de los Soles?
According to U.S. accusations, the Cartel de los Soles is a system of clientelism involving powerful Venezuelan elites who profit from drug trafficking and protect their associates. The name comes from the sun insignias worn by Venezuelan generals.
What charges does Maduro currently face?
Maduro has been indicted on charges of narcoterrorism and weapons possession. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
How have other countries reacted to Maduro’s capture?
Governments in Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru have supported the U.S. action. Venezuela and Cuba have rejected the accusations, dismissing them as politically motivated.
As the legal proceedings unfold, what impact will this case have on the political landscape of Venezuela and its relationship with the United States?
