Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Reuters Yonhap News

The U.S. administration under Donald Trump officially designated Venezuela's 'Cartel de los Soles' (Cartel of the Suns) as a 'Foreign Terrorist Organization' (FTO) on the 24th (local time), Reuters reported.

The Trump administration identified Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as the leader of this cartel, escalating pressure on the Maduro regime to the highest level.

According to the report, the U.S. State Department designated the Cartel of the Suns as an FTO on this day, citing allegations of its involvement in smuggling illegal drugs into the United States.

The Cartel of the Suns is a term referring to corrupt high-ranking Venezuelan military officers involved in the drug trade in the 1990s, originating from the sun insignia worn on their uniforms at the time.

Designation as an FTO results in the freezing of the organization's assets within the United States. Individuals who support them may also face criminal prosecution.

Previously, in September, the Trump administration had designated another Venezuela-based cartel, 'Trendearagua', as an FTO.

In response, the Venezuelan government dismissed the FTO designation as a "ridiculous fabrication," stating that the Cartel of the Suns is a "non-existent entity."

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil stated, "This is a vile lie to justify illegal and illegitimate intervention, and like all previous attacks, it will fail."

Gil strongly criticized the move, saying, "The U.S.'s sole objective is to seize Venezuela's oil, gas, gold, and minerals," and that this action is intended to "justify illegal and illegitimate regime change attempts for this purpose."

U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean. Reuters Yonhap News

Under the pretext of a 'war on drug trafficking,' the Trump administration has conducted airstrikes on vessels presumed to be Venezuelan drug transports on the high seas in recent months, resulting in at least 80 deaths so far.

Concurrently, the United States is increasing its military presence in waters near Venezuela.

Military tensions have further escalated with the recent deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's most powerful aircraft carrier, to the region.

On this day, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley visited troops in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, and naval warships in the region to encourage the soldiers on duty, according to AP.

This visit is the second such visit following the military buildup in the region.

Consequently, there are observations that this FTO designation may be an attempt to build justification for a military attack to oust the Maduro regime.

In fact, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Heges suggested the possibility of military intervention, stating that this FTO designation "will bring a host of new options for the United States."

However, experts countered that designating a terrorist organization cannot serve as a basis for justifying military intervention.

A former senior Treasury Department official stated, "I have attended numerous meetings with various agencies, but I have never heard that designating an organization as an FTO automatically meets the criteria for military action."

Meanwhile, on the same day the U.S. government identified President Maduro as the head of a terrorist organization, the possibility of a conversation between President Trump and President Maduro was raised.

The U.S. online outlet Axios reported, citing sources, that President Trump informed his aides of his plan to speak directly with President Maduro.

Sources interpreted this move as a potential signal that a U.S. military attack is not imminent.

However, the date for the call has not yet been set, and it is understood to be in the planning stages.

Yonhap News