There are analyses suggesting that the United States has issued a declaration of war, specifically a military operation, against Venezuela.

The State Department announced on Sunday the 16th that it plans to designate the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) starting November 24th.

The State Department explained, "The Cartel de los Soles, based in Venezuela, is led by high-ranking officials of the illegitimate Maduro regime, including Nicolás Maduro, who have corrupted Venezuela's military, intelligence agencies, legislature, and judiciary. Maduro and his associates do not represent Venezuela's legitimate government."

The State Department further stated, "The Cartel de los Soles, along with other FTOs including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, is responsible for committing acts of terror and violence across the U.S. hemisphere and for smuggling narcotics into the United States and Europe."

In response to these actions, some have raised concerns about whether U.S. military forces in the Caribbean will launch ground operations on November 24th.

Earlier, on the 14th, President Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he had "made up his mind to some extent" regarding the next steps targeting Venezuela. The State Department's announcement two days later lends weight to the possibility that Trump's decision involves the commencement of military operations.

The State Department's announcement came on the same day the U.S. Navy announced that the carrier strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford had entered the Caribbean.

The State Department cited Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act as the basis for designating the 'Cartel de los Soles' as an FTO. Previously, the Treasury Department designated this organization as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and imposed sanctions on July 25th.

At that time, the Treasury Department announced sanctions against the Cartel de los Soles in a press release stating, "We are sanctioning the Venezuelan cartel led by Maduro."

These actions by government agencies demonstrate the U.S. intention to treat any potential invasion of Venezuela as military operations against a foreign terrorist organization, which can be authorized by presidential decree, rather than an interstate war requiring Congressional approval.

The fact that a specific date, November 24th, was designated and announced in advance, even though the designation of a foreign terrorist organization is typically effective immediately upon announcement, further supports the interpretation that this carries a strong implication of a declaration of war.

Some have raised suspicions that the Trump administration is aiming for an energy war, given that Venezuela holds the world's largest oil reserves. However, others analyze that Trump may be pursuing multiple objectives simultaneously, possibly three or even four.

This perspective suggests that the U.S. could gain benefits such as securing resources like energy and rare earth elements, simultaneously cracking down on drug trafficking, pressuring China, and promoting pro-American sentiment in South America.

It is not yet possible to definitively state whether President Trump will actually carry out military operations in Venezuela. President Trump has indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue if the Maduro regime desires it.

By Sung Ku Hong, Editor-in-Chief of NNP, United States / Special Contributor to this publication NNP info@newsandpost.com