The U.S. Department of Justice has significantly altered its indictment against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following his capture, reducing references to the “Cartel de los Soles.” The revised document no longer identifies Maduro as a leader of the alleged drug trafficking organization, instead characterizing it as a “system of clientelism.”
Shifting Accusations
A 2020 U.S. grand jury indictment alleged that Maduro “helped manage and ultimately lead the Cartel de los Soles as he ascended to power in Venezuela.” These claims were echoed by President Donald Trump as justification for anti-drug campaigns in the Caribbean. Washington also accused the Cartel de los Soles of supporting groups like the Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel in a conspiracy to traffic drugs into the United States.
However, the updated indictment, filed hours after Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in Caracas by U.S. forces, scales back the previous language. While still accusing Maduro of drug trafficking, the revised document removes explicit references to the “Cartel de los Soles” as a defined organization.
The revised indictment states that Maduro “participates, 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.” It further notes that profits from these activities flow to corrupt officials operating within a “system of clientelism” led by those at the top – referred to as the Cartel de los Soles.
Contrasting Statements
The shift in the indictment contrasts with public statements made by President Trump, who indicated the capture operation was part of a broader offensive aimed at dismantling the Cartel de los Soles. In 2025, the United States officially designated the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), having previously designated it as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
This designation received support from Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. Venezuela and Cuba, however, have rejected the accusations, dismissing them as inventions of the CIA or obsessions of Washington.
Analysts and experts in the South American country have questioned the actual existence of the network as an organized drug trafficking group. Initial allegations surfaced in 2004 when journalist Mauro Marcano accused National Guard officials of involvement in drug trafficking.
Maduro and Flores appeared in U.S. court in New York on Monday, having been transported there following their capture in a swift operation ordered by Trump. Maduro pleaded not guilty to charges of narcoterrorism and weapons possession, stating he is a “prisoner of war.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cartel de los Soles?
According to the source, the Cartel de los Soles is a supposed organization whose name comes from the sun-shaped insignias worn by Venezuelan generals. It has been accused of involvement in drug trafficking and supporting other criminal groups.
What changes were made to the indictment against Maduro?
The U.S. Department of Justice removed many references to the Cartel de los Soles and no longer identifies Maduro as its leader, instead characterizing the alleged network as a “system of clientelism.”
Which countries support the U.S. designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization?
Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru have publicly supported the U.S. designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
As Maduro’s case proceeds, what impact might this shift in legal strategy have on the overall pursuit of justice and the broader geopolitical landscape in Venezuela?
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