Secretary of War Hegseth: Cartel de los Soles Terrorist Designation Provides “Whole Bunch of New Options”; FAA Issues Security Advisory Covering Venezuelan Airspace
The terrorist organization designation integrates Cartel de los Soles into frameworks historically applied to entities posing direct threats to U.S. national security.
WESTERN HEMISPHERE — U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated November 21 that the impending designation of Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization introduces a substantial range of new operational authorities for the Department of War.
Hegseth described the classification as delivering “a whole bunch of new options” for addressing state-embedded narcotics networks in the hemisphere.
The designation, formally announced by the Department of State on November 16 with effect November 24, identifies the network leadership as Nicolás Maduro together with senior Venezuelan officials across military, intelligence, legislative, and judicial institutions. This action constitutes the ninth such designation under Executive Order 14157 since February.
On the same day as Hegseth’s remarks, the Federal Aviation Administration issued NOTAM KICZ A0012/25, applicable to the entire Maiquetía Flight Information Region — the airspace over Venezuela and adjacent areas.
The advisory directs extreme caution for all aircraft operations due to a potentially hazardous security environment resulting from the deteriorating situation and increased military activity in and around Venezuela. The NOTAM remains in effect until February 19, 2026.
Expanded Authorities and Regional Security Environment
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