Cartel of the Soles, led by Nicolás Maduro

The Venezuelan drug Cartel of the Soles, led by Nicolás Maduro, is indeed facing increased pressure from the US, which has designated it as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. As a result, traffickers are likely exploring alternative routes to Europe 

Europe is becoming a significant hub for cocaine trafficking, with traffickers exploiting ports in Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The rise of narco-submarines and innovative shipping methods has enabled traffickers to transport large quantities of cocaine from South America to Europe.

Key Trafficking Routes:

- Atlantic Route: Cocaine is smuggled from South America to Europe via the Atlantic Ocean, often through Brazilian ports like Paranaguá.

- Caribbean Route: The Caribbean region serves as a transit zone, with countries like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica playing key roles.

- West Africa Route: Traffickers also use West Africa as a staging ground for shipments to Europe 

The US and European authorities are working together to combat these trafficking networks, but the adaptability of traffickers poses significant challenges.

Follow-up questions:

1. How are European countries coordinating efforts to combat cocaine trafficking?

2. What impact is the Cartel of the Soles' designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization having on Venezuela's economy and politics?

Referencias

US Treasury sanctions Venezuelan cartel headed by Maduro: OFAC

US is already fighting war with Venezuela’s traffickers

Drug trafficking across the Atlantic

Cartel of the Suns

The US designation of Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) is a significant move that's likely to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government. This designation freezes US assets and bars Americans from dealing with the group, and it also adds greater criminal liability for those who provide material support to the cartel.

The impact of this designation is multifaceted:

- Increased Pressure on Maduro: The move is seen as a way to further isolate Maduro's government and limit its access to international financing.

- Potential for Military Action: While sanctions experts say the FTO designation doesn't authorize military action, some experts question the legality of the US military's actions in the region, including strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats.

- Oil Leverage: Maduro's government might use oil exports as a bargaining chip in potential talks with the US, given Venezuela's significant oil reserves and China's increased reliance on Venezuelan oil.

The designation has also led to a surge in investor interest in Venezuela's defaulted dollar bonds, with the country seeing a 96% return this year.