Cartel of the Suns News
Venezuela Criminal Structures Bolster Maduro in Second Term
The swearing in of Nicolás Maduro for a second presidential term demonstrates just how deeply entrenched organized crime structures are in Venezuela’s government, having helped to sustain a regime marked by unlawful actions, human rights violations and its support of criminal...
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 /
The Eight Criminal Armies Supporting Venezuela’s Maduro Administration
The editor of one of Venezuela’s most important media organizations denounced that a combination of security forces and groups linked to organized crime have...
Analysis /
US Sanctions on Venezuela President Promise Zero Impact, Experts Say
The rare move by the United States to place economic sanctions on Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro will do little to reduce criminality within his regime and...
Brief /
New US Sanctions Hit Top Venezuela Officials With Criminal Ties
The latest round of sanctions by the United States against high-ranking Venezuelan officials claim to punish human rights abuses, but several of these powerful...
Brief /
Venezuela Pilot’s Extradition Could Lead to Cartel of the Suns Revelations
Colombia has extradited a Venezuelan former army captain with ties to the administration of President Nicolás Maduro to face drug trafficking charges in the United...
Analysis /
Could Dissent in Venezuela Military, Judiciary Crack Maduro’s Criminal Regime?
Cracks have appeared in Venezuela's increasingly criminal regime. Dissidence has set in within the military, which is propping up the flailing government, and a key...
Analysis /
Dark Times in Venezuela Signal Bright Future for Organized Crime
Whatever happens following "the mother of all protests" in Venezuela on April 19, political uncertainty looks guaranteed and will be embraced by organized crime....
Analysis /
Report Charts Evolution and Militarization of Venezuela’s Drug Trade
A new report details the evolution of Venezuela's drug trade, and offers some insights into the rise of the military's role in this illicit...
Analysis /
US Sanctions Against Venezuela VP Hit Highest Government Rank Yet
The decision by the United States to sanction Tareck El Aissami, the recently-appointed vice president of Venezuela, for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking...
Analysis /
GameChangers 2016: Venezuela’s Cartel of the Suns Revealed
The Cartel of the Suns lived up to its name in 2016, moving from the shadows into the light with the exposure of new details about the network of corrupt officials...
