The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said he is “deeply alarmed” over the standoff between the United States and Venezuela in recent months, which culminated on Saturday morning in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by US special forces.


Concerns Over US Involvement in Venezuela

The much-publicised Cartel de los Soles, which was allegedly a leading drug trafficking network from Venezuela, does not exist. That was the pretext used by US President Donald Trump to justify a campaign against Venezuela and the abduction of its President, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. Instead, the term Cartel de los Soles is a slang used to define a “patronage system” and “culture of corruption” that is fueled by drug money.&nbsp; In March 2020, the Justice Department's indictment mentioned Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) 32 times. It mentioned that the group provides weapons to a Colombian Marxist rebel group, FARC, which funded its militant activities through drug trafficking and flooding the United States with cocaine.&nbsp; However, in the 2026 DOJ indictment, the term appears only twice, referring to a culture allegedly supported by successive Venezuelan Presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. The original drug trafficking pretext for Maduro's kidnapping has been largely dismissed by many of the US allies and adversaries. Now the tacit admission by the DOJ of the absence of an actual Cartel de los Soles reveals the true motivation behind the US imperialist campaign.&nbsp; “Let me get this straight: We go to a country, we capture their leader, we bomb it, &amp; then we say we run this country now — and that's not war. But when they send cocaine over here, that people are willingly snorting — that is war. That doesn't make any sense,” said Kat Timf, a political commentator at Fox News.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MacCALLUM: You have about 100,000 dying from drug overdoses, most of those drugs from from Venezuela and other places CROW: That&#39;s actually not true. The majority of the deaths by drugs in America are the result of meth and fentanyl. Almost none of that comes from Venezuela <a href="https://t.co/xp3TmcYDyG">pic.twitter.com/xp3TmcYDyG</a>&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/2008277428406239534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Experts in Latin American crime and narcotics have long argued that the term was a figure of speech, a slang coined by the Venezuelan media for corrupt officials bearing a sun insignia on their uniforms. Neither the United Nations' annual World Drug Report nor the DEA's annual National Drug Threat Assessment mention Cartel de los Soles.&nbsp; Nevertheless, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared, “We will continue to reserve the right to take strikes against drug boats that are bringing drugs toward the United States that are being operated by transnational criminal organisations, including the Cartel de los Soles.”

The Cartel de los Soles is not a real drug cartel. Experts and US indictments reveal how Trump used the myth to justify action against Venezuela.

The much-publicised Cartel de los Soles, which was allegedly a leading drug trafficking network from Venezuela, does not exist. That was the pretext used by US President Donald Trump to justify a campaign against Venezuela and the abduction of its President, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. Instead, the term Cartel de los Soles is a slang used to define a “patronage system” and “culture of corruption” that is fueled by drug money. In March 2020, the Justice Department's indictment mentioned Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) 32 times. It mentioned that the group provides weapons to a Colombian Marxist rebel group, FARC, which funded its militant activities through drug trafficking and flooding the United States with cocaine. However, in the 2026 DOJ indictment, the term appears only twice, referring to a culture allegedly supported by successive Venezuelan Presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. The original drug trafficking pretext for Maduro's kidnapping has been largely dismissed by many of the US allies and adversaries. Now the tacit admission by the DOJ of the absence of an actual Cartel de los Soles reveals the true motivation behind the US imperialist campaign. “Let me get this straight: We go to a country, we capture their leader, we bomb it, & then we say we run this country now — and that's not war. But when they send cocaine over here, that people are willingly snorting — that is war. That doesn't make any sense,” said Kat Timf, a political commentator at Fox News.

The Cartel de los Soles is not a real drug cartel. Experts and US indictments reveal how Trump used the myth to justify action against Venezuela.

DOJ silently admits there is no drug trafficking group named Cartel de los Soles

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said Monday she plans to return home "as soon as possible", and slammed the interim president in Caracas. The Nobel Prize winner vowed to "turn Venezuela into the energy hub of the Americas" and dismantle the "'criminal structures" that have harmed her country's people, as ousted leader Nicolas Maduro pled not guilty to drug charges at a New York court. Follow our liveblog for all the latest.

Venezuela Crisis: Opposition Slams Rodriguez Post-Maduro Capture

Nicolas Maduro made his first US court appearance in New York, pleading not guilty to federal charges while insisting he is still Venezuela’s president. Maduro’s wife also pleaded not guilty to charges in the same hearing. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session to address the US operation and Maduro’s abduction, with Venezuela’s UN ambassador, Samuel Moncada, condemning the actions as illegal.

US-Venezuela Tensions: Maduro, Wife To Stay in Detention Centre Until Next Hearing

Venezuela holds the world’s largest oil reserves, but turning that oil into real supply is another story. From collapsing infrastructure to billion-dollar rebuild costs and political uncertainty, experts say there’s no quick fix. This is why Venezuela’s oil won’t hit markets anytime soon.

Trump’s Oil Bet Meets Hard Economics

US President Donald Trump admitted that the ousted opposition leader and the Nobel Prize winner Maria Corina Machado doesn't have the "support" and "respect" to govern the Venezuelan nation. This comes after a year of the Western media and journalists rallying around Maria Corina Machado and her candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, who was supposedly the “rightful” winner. According to them, Nicolas Maduro has allegedly stolen the election.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even though there were political divisions within Venezuela and the Bolivarian Revolution. But it did not constitute an overwhelming majority. Venezuela’s National Electoral Council said that the opposition party, months ahead of the election, started to claim that they would not accept the results. In fact, independent US media, Peoples Forum, Peoples Dispatch and Real News Network, have reported that claims by the US corporate media about a rigged 2024 Venezuelan election were circulated just hours after the polls closed. It cites more than 800 international election observers on the ground, which paints a very different picture.&nbsp;&nbsp;On January 3, 2026, the US conducted a military operation in Venezuela and abducted Nicolas Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores. Soon, when enquired about Maria Corina Machado as the potential leader. Trump responded, "I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country. She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect."&nbsp;&nbsp;Machado had become an international figure following the election and the riot that ensued after the result. She continued her campaign within the international community, leaving out the impact of US sanctions, the multiple US-backed coup attempts in Venezuela since 2002.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">María Corina Machado is 100 % aligned with the US and president Trump: &quot;China lent, Russia armed and Iran entrenched itself. They bet on Maduro. And, like him, they are about to lose their investment.&quot;<a href="https://t.co/qLp8VaB9Oq">pic.twitter.com/qLp8VaB9Oq</a>&mdash; Emmanuel Rincón (@EmmaRincon) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaRincon/status/1986206389585276985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">¿Dónde está el 70% que votó por Edmundo González? Son como el Cartel de los Soles, no existen. <a href="https://t.co/D0DxOYj1rV">pic.twitter.com/D0DxOYj1rV</a>&mdash; Doña Ligia 🇨🇴🇻🇪🇵🇸 (@ligia281243) <a href="https://twitter.com/ligia281243/status/2008123838421438753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: 🇻🇪🇺🇸 Members of the Venezuelan opposition are now joining the anti-US protests across Venezuela <a href="https://t.co/fjRkBKsYXc">pic.twitter.com/fjRkBKsYXc</a>&mdash; Megatron (@Megatron_ron) <a href="https://twitter.com/Megatron_ron/status/2008171514961785138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Most of the Liberal and Conservative US Media, from ABC News, CNN, to Fox News, united in support of Machado. A report from the Washington Post claimed that Trump opposes Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado leading the country because she won the Nobel Peace Prize that he so desperately wanted. In an interview with NBC News, Trump said that it was not the case. She legitimately lacks support among Venezuelans.

Donald Trump said Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado lacks support and respect to govern, contradicting Western media narratives after Maduro’s abduction.

US President Donald Trump admitted that the ousted opposition leader and the Nobel Prize winner Maria Corina Machado doesn't have the "support" and "respect" to govern the Venezuelan nation. This comes after a year of the Western media and journalists rallying around Maria Corina Machado and her candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, who was supposedly the “rightful” winner. According to them, Nicolas Maduro has allegedly stolen the election. Even though there were political divisions within Venezuela and the Bolivarian Revolution. But it did not constitute an overwhelming majority. Venezuela’s National Electoral Council said that the opposition party, months ahead of the election, started to claim that they would not accept the results. In fact, independent US media, Peoples Forum, Peoples Dispatch and Real News Network, have reported that claims by the US corporate media about a rigged 2024 Venezuelan election were circulated just hours after the polls closed. It cites more than 800 international election observers on the ground, which paints a very different picture. On January 3, 2026, the US conducted a military operation in Venezuela and abducted Nicolas Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores. Soon, when enquired about Maria Corina Machado as the potential leader. Trump responded, "I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country. She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect." Machado had become an international figure following the election and the riot that ensued after the result. She continued her campaign within the international community, leaving out the impact of US sanctions, the multiple US-backed coup attempts in Venezuela since 2002.

Donald Trump said Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado lacks support and respect to govern, contradicting Western media narratives after Maduro’s abduction.

Trump says Machado doesn’t have 'support' and 'respect' to govern

Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA has begun cutting crude production because it is running out of storage capacity due to an ongoing U.S. oil blockade that has reduced exports to zero, piling more pressure on an interim government trying to hang on to power in the face of U.S. threats of more military action.


Venezuela oil exports grind to halt, global oil supplies offset disrupted 

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in her first public remarks since a weekend social media post, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate vowed to return to her country, addressing the unfolding political crisis and reaffirming her commitment to the people.


US-Venezuela tensions: Machado says oppn will win 90% votes in free, fair elections

Nicolas Maduro made his first US court appearance in New York, pleading not guilty to federal charges while insisting he is still Venezuela’s president. Maduro’s wife also pleaded not guilty to charges in the same hearing. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session to address the US operation and Maduro’s abduction, with Venezuela’s UN ambassador, Samuel Moncada, condemning the actions as illegal.


US-Venezuela tensions: Maduro, wife to stay in detention centre until next hearing

Hundreds protest outside U.S. Embassy in London, calling Trump's Venezuela operation "outrageous" after Delta Force raided Fuerte Tiuna, capturing Maduro & wife Cilia Flores via helicopter to warship.

London Protests U.S. Role in Venezuela, Slams Trump Actions as 'Outrageous'

Leading House Democrat rips Trump's Venezuela operation capturing Maduro-"reckless escalation" that shreds international norms. Fuerte Tiuna bombing, Delta Force raid spark bipartisan alarm as narco-terror trial unfolds.

Top House Democrat Slams Trump's Venezuela Raid as Overreach

Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as Venezuela's interim president days after Maduro's U.S. capture on drug charges. PSUV loyalist vows to fight "imperialism" amid drone scares over presidential palace. Power vacuum fills.

Venezuela: Delcy Rodríguez Takes Oath as Interim President

Cuba is facing fresh economic strain as uncertainty grows over Venezuela. The island nation relies heavily on Venezuelan crude and refined products to fuel its ageing power grid and transport system. Any disruption in supplies could worsen the country’s chronic shortages and add pressure to its struggling economy.


Venezuelan Political Upheaval Threatens Cuba’s Energy Supply

The fall of Venezuela's maduro has brought renewed attention to the country's long running debt crisis. It is one of the largest unresolved sovereign defaults in the world.


How Much Debt Does Venezuela Owe to the World?

Venezuela’s main revenue source now faces fresh turmoil as the latest U.S. Action brings exports to a standstill. PDVSA , the state-run oil company, is cutting production and shutting down oilfields as storage fills up. Despite the turmoil, global oil prices remain steady, cushioned by ample supplies elsewhere.


Venezuela-U.S.: Export Standstill Hits Venezuela’s Main Revenue Source

Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over drug trafficking charges, the US Navy's P-8 Poseidon was spotted circling a drug-smuggling hub off Mexico's coast on Monday morning. Notably, US President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Mexico over drug trafficking, raising fears of a similar action to that in Venezuela. According to flight tracking websites, the aircraft carried out surveillance and reconnaissance operations miles offshore from Tijuana, believed to be a major drug cartel corridor. Reports state that the plane took off from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington, flew through Oregon and California, did several rounds off the Mexican coast and southern California, before returning to base.<h2>Boeing P-8 Poseidon</h2> The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is equipped with advanced sensors that can detect targets both on the surface and underwater. These features help monitor suspicious vessels and maritime movements. The Pacific drug corridor is used by cartels to smuggle narcotics, including fentanyl, into the United States. The Poseidon's capability for both anti-submarine warfare and surface surveillance makes it perfect for operations along this zone. Flying at speeds of over 900 kilometres per hour, it can reach altitudes of up to 41,000 feet.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-s-machado-labels-interim-president-as-architect-of-torture-narcotrafficking-vows-to-dismantle-criminal-structures-1767672570345">Venezuela’s Machado labels interim president as ‘architect of torture, narcotrafficking’, vows to ‘dismantle criminal structures’</a>&nbsp;Its in-flight refuelling system helps it stay airborne for hours at a time. The US has a total of 174 aircraft in its P-8 Poseidon fleet and has logged over 700,000 flight hours. It has been built to withstand all kinds of conditions for up to 25 years. According to Boeing, it can be upgraded to meet evolving threats. The P-8 has interoperability features and can work in tandem with other US and allied forces across land, sea, and air operations.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-venezuela-tensions-venezuelan-parliament-head-vows-to-bring-back-maduro-1767670532693/embed<h2>What Trump said of Mexico drug cartel operations</h2> The flight comes after Trump raised concerns that drug cartels continue to dominate large parts of Mexico. He also slammed the government for failing to control these operations. "The cartels are running Mexico, whether you like it or not. It's not nice to say, but the cartels are running Mexico," he said. Trump even threatened Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in November to take action against drug cartels or face possible US military intervention. "Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It's OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs," Trump said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The US Navy's P-8 Poseidon was seen doing several rounds over Tijuana, a drug-smuggling hub in Mexico. This flight comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured over the New Year's weekend. 

Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over drug trafficking charges, the US Navy's P-8 Poseidon was spotted circling a drug-smuggling hub off Mexico's coast on Monday morning. Notably, US President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Mexico over drug trafficking, raising fears of a similar action to that in Venezuela. According to flight tracking websites, the aircraft carried out surveillance and reconnaissance operations miles offshore from Tijuana, believed to be a major drug cartel corridor. Reports state that the plane took off from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington, flew through Oregon and California, did several rounds off the Mexican coast and southern California, before returning to base. Boeing P-8 Poseidon The Boeing P-8 Poseidon is equipped with advanced sensors that can detect targets both on the surface and underwater. These features help monitor suspicious vessels and maritime movements. The Pacific drug corridor is used by cartels to smuggle narcotics, including fentanyl, into the United States. The Poseidon's capability for both anti-submarine warfare and surface surveillance makes it perfect for operations along this zone. Flying at speeds of over 900 kilometres per hour, it can reach altitudes of up to 41,000 feet. Also Read: Venezuela’s Machado labels interim president as ‘architect of torture, narcotrafficking’, vows to ‘dismantle criminal structures’ Its in-flight refuelling system helps it stay airborne for hours at a time. The US has a total of 174 aircraft in its P-8 Poseidon fleet and has logged over 700,000 flight hours. It has been built to withstand all kinds of conditions for up to 25 years. According to Boeing, it can be upgraded to meet evolving threats. The P-8 has interoperability features and can work in tandem with other US and allied forces across land, sea, and air operations. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-venezuela-tensions-venezuelan-parliament-head-vows-to-bring-back-maduro-1767670532693/embed What Trump said of Mexico drug cartel operations The flight comes after Trump raised concerns that drug cartels continue to dominate large parts of Mexico. He also slammed the government for failing to control these operations. "The cartels are running Mexico, whether you like it or not. It's not nice to say, but the cartels are running Mexico," he said. Trump even threatened Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in November to take action against drug cartels or face possible US military intervention. "Would I launch strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? It's OK with me. Whatever we have to do to stop drugs," Trump said.

The US Navy's P-8 Poseidon was seen doing several rounds over Tijuana, a drug-smuggling hub in Mexico. This flight comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured over the New Year's weekend.&nbsp;

US spy jet P-8 Poseidon circles major drug hub off Mexico's coast. Could Venezuela-like operation be in the pipeline?

US-Venezuela tensions: UN Secretary-General Guterres says power of law must prevail 

U.S. satellite images unveil shocking destruction at Fuerte Tiuna-Venezuela's largest military base, after Operation Absolute Resolve airstrikes on Jan 3. Five+ warehouses obliterated, vehicles incinerated, security posts exploded as 150+ U.S. aircraft pummeled Caracas defenses.

U.S. Military Op: Satellite Images Reveal Fuerte Tiuna Damage

US-Venezuela tensions: Venezuelan parliament head vows to bring back Maduro 

Venezuela's deposed Maduro pleads not guilty; UNSC holds emergency meeting on Venezuela

Breaking: Unidentified drones spotted over Caracas presidential palace spark Venezuelan military response with shots fired. Incident hits right after Delcy Rodríguez sworn in amid Maduro's US charges.


Breaking: Shorts Fired Near Venezuela's Presidential Palace: Reports

President Trump has openly stated that the U.S. wants “total access” to Venezuela’s oil and resources. With the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela is at the center of a high-stakes geopolitical power play. Critics warn democracy may be secondary, as Washington exerts economic and military pressure while framing its actions around migration and drugs. 

Trump Says U.S. Needs 'Total Access' to Venezuela's Oil, Resources | Explained

Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to US narco-terrorism charges in New York. The ousted leader claimed he was kidnapped following a military raid in Caracas. 

‘I was kidnapped’: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleads not guilty in US court

President Trump has openly stated that the U.S. wants “total access” to Venezuela’s oil and resources. With the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Venezuela is at the center of a high-stakes geopolitical power play. Critics warn democracy may be secondary, as Washington exerts economic and military pressure while framing its actions around migration and drugs.  

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Concerns Over US Involvement in Venezuela

DOJ silently admits there is no drug trafficking group named Cartel de los Soles

Venezuela Crisis: Opposition Slams Rodriguez Post-Maduro Capture

US-Venezuela Tensions: Maduro, Wife To Stay in Detention Centre Until Next Hearing

Trump’s Oil Bet Meets Hard Economics

Trump says Machado doesn’t have 'support' and 'respect' to govern

Venezuela oil exports grind to halt, global oil supplies offset disrupted

US-Venezuela tensions: Machado says oppn will win 90% votes in free, fair elections

US-Venezuela tensions: Maduro, wife to stay in detention centre until next hearing

London Protests U.S. Role in Venezuela, Slams Trump Actions as 'Outrageous'

Top House Democrat Slams Trump's Venezuela Raid as Overreach

Venezuela: Delcy Rodríguez Takes Oath as Interim President

Venezuelan Political Upheaval Threatens Cuba’s Energy Supply

How Much Debt Does Venezuela Owe to the World?

Venezuela-U.S.: Export Standstill Hits Venezuela’s Main Revenue Source

US spy jet circles drug hub off Mexico's coast. Could Venezuela-like op follow?

US-Venezuela tensions: UN Secretary-General Guterres says power of law must prevail

U.S. Military Op: Satellite Images Reveal Fuerte Tiuna Damage

US-Venezuela tensions: Venezuelan parliament head vows to bring back Maduro

Venezuela's deposed Maduro pleads not guilty; UNSC holds emergency meeting on Venezuela

Breaking: Shorts Fired Near Venezuela's Presidential Palace: Reports

Trump Says U.S. Needs 'Total Access' to Venezuela's Oil, Resources | Explained

‘I was kidnapped’: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleads not guilty

Trump Says U.S. Needs 'Total Access' to Venezuela's Oil, Resources | Explained