• The US will designate Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) effective November 24.
• This designation implicates Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and senior officials in drug trafficking.
• The move reflects escalating military operations by the US in the Caribbean and Latin America.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US will use all tools to combat narco-terrorism.
• The announcement has prompted discussions of possible diplomatic engagements with Maduro.

The United States plans to designate Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), a decision announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This designation will take effect on November 24 and positions Maduro as leading a group characterized by the US as engaged in drug trafficking and terrorism. Rubio said the cartel is involved in "terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere," significantly impacting US and international drug trafficking concerns, according to BBC, AA, and The Hill.

Rubio emphasized that the Cartel de los Soles, which also collaborates with other designated terrorist organizations, exemplifies the illegitimate nature of Maduro's government, stating they "do not represent Venezuela's legitimate government." Following the FTO classification, the US will intensify its operations against the group and any individuals or entities associated with it, enhancing legal powers for intelligence and military engagements in the region, according to BBC and AA.

The announcement aligns with an increase in military operations in the Caribbean, including deploying the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier as part of a broader strategy against perceived threats from organizations like the Cartel de los Soles. This military escalation comes amid a series of strikes targeting vessels involved in drug trafficking operations by the Trump administration, further pressuring Maduro's regime, as confirmed by BBC, AA, and The Hill.

Despite the heightened tensions, President Trump has indicated a willingness to potentially engage in discussions with Maduro, noting that the Venezuelan leader has expressed interest in talks. This statement suggests a complex diplomatic context as the US balances military actions with possible negotiations, as stated by BBC and The Hill.