Cartel of the Suns News
Venezuelan Money Laundering Schemes Continue To Thrive in US
The seizure of a fleet of luxury cars bound for Venezuela in Florida has shown how officials and allies of President Nicolás Maduro are still seeking to sidestep US sanctions to develop a range of illicit...
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
Analysis /
GameChangers 2019: As Venezuela Sinks, Maduro’s Criminal Ties Keep Him Afloat
Venezuela remained mired in crisis throughout 2019, yet Nicolás Maduro actually consolidated his regime. How did he do...
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...