There is a big change happening in world law. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is working hard to catch the leaders of a group called the “Cartel of the Suns.” This happened because the leader of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, was captured by the military and taken to a court in New York.
For many years, people said the Cartel of the Suns was run by high-ranking military officers in Venezuela. They are accused of turning their country into a place that helps move drugs. Now, U.S. lawyers are showing evidence that this group sent thousands of tons of cocaine to the United States.
The Arraignment: Maduro and Wife Plead Not Guilty
On January 5, 2026, Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, went to court in Manhattan. They both said they were “not guilty.” The U.S. government has charged them with several crimes. These include working with a rebel group called the FARC for 25 years and helping to bring large amounts of cocaine into the U.S. They are also accused of using illegal weapons like machine guns to protect the drug business.
Maduro wore a blue prison uniform in court. He said he was a “prisoner of war” and claimed the U.S. had no right to take him from his country. He was captured in Venezuela on January 3 during a mission called Operation Absolute Resolve.
Understanding the “Cartel of the Suns” (Cartel de los Soles)
The name “Cartel of the Suns” comes from the sun shapes on the uniforms of Venezuelan generals. This group is different from other drug cartels because it is run by people inside the government.
The U.S. government says Maduro’s team gave weapons to the FARC rebels to get cocaine in return. They also say the group used government airplanes, ships, and special passports to move drugs and money. This has caused problems in other countries because they worked with other criminal gangs to grow their business.
Expert Analysis: A “Narco-State” Under the Microscope
Jim Shedd, a former DEA agent, talked about the case. He said that Maduro is the most important person they caught, but the DEA is still looking for other military leaders who are hiding. Shedd explained that the goal is to break the entire criminal system in the Venezuelan government. He said this shows that leaders cannot use their power to hide from the law if they trade drugs.
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Potential Global Repercussions
Because the drug center in Venezuela is falling apart, drug traders might start using different paths through the Caribbean. In Venezuela, a woman named Delcy Rodríguez has become the new acting president, which has started a fight for power in the country. Other countries like China and Russia are upset that the U.S. went into another country to catch Maduro, but Colombia thinks it will make the region safer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Cartel of the Suns?
- It is a group of military and government officials in Venezuela who are accused of making money from the drug trade.
- What is the “Narco-Terrorism” charge?
- This is a law used when someone sells drugs to help a terrorist group. In this case, the group is the FARC.
- Will Maduro be released on bail?
- No. Maduro and his wife are being kept in a jail in Brooklyn. They cannot leave. Their next court date is March 17, 2026.
What’s Next for the Case?
The U.S. government has a lot of evidence, including recorded talks and stories from people who used to work for Maduro. The DEA is still looking for more officials. This trial in New York will be one of the biggest drug cases in history.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets.