Cartel of the Suns News
Venezuela President’s Drug Trafficking Exploits Detailed in US Indictment
US prosecutors have charged Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his closest allies with drug trafficking and corruption, cementing the embattled nation's reputation as a mafia...
Cartel of the Suns Profile
Cartel of the Suns
The term "Cartel of the Suns" (Cartel de los Soles) is used to describe shadowy groups inside Venezuela's military that traffic cocaine. It is in some ways a misleading term, as it creates the impression that there is a hierarchical group, made up primarily of military officials, that sets the price of cocaine inside the country. There are cells within the main branches of the military -- the...
More Cartel of the Suns News
Brief /
Venezuela-FARC Drug Trafficking Alliance May Explain DEA Expulsion
New evidence suggests that late Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez allied with the FARC to “flood” the United States with cocaine, potentially explaining...
Analysis /
The Criminal Ties of Maduro’s New Military Chiefs in Venezuela
President Nicolás Maduro has announced changes to Venezuela’s highest military positions, in a series of appointments that reward longstanding loyalty but also...
Samark López Bello
Samark López Bello is a Venezuelan businessman and currently a fugitive from American justice facing charges of laundering drug...
Analysis /
Venezuela Intelligence Chief Exposes Organized Crime Links in Maduro Govt
For the second time in six months, a former head of Venezuela’s military intelligence service has made major revelations about the links between President...
Analysis /
Failed Venezuela Uprising Benefits Armed and Criminal Groups
Venezuela's social conflict and violence may be even more complicated a week after the failed military uprising led by Juan Guaidó. This continued descent into...
Analysis /
US Piles on the Pressure Against Venezuela’s El Aissami
The United States has charged Tareck El Aissami, one of the most powerful men in Venezuela, and five of his collaborators for violating sanctions imposed in 2017...
Analysis /
The Armed Groups Propping Up Venezuela’s Government
Reports from Venezuela are shocking the world with images of “colectivos,” police and military using excessive force -- even opening fire -- on unarmed...
Analysis /
Op-Ed: Venezuela – Latin America’s Iraq?
Is it just me or does Nicolas Maduro look a lot like Saddam Hussein? After US intervention in Iraq, we saw a nation that descended into civil war, mass displacement...
Analysis /
Key Criminal Revelations From Former Venezuela Intelligence Chief
The former head of Venezuela’s military intelligence service has revealed some key details that confirm longstanding links between several officials in the regime...