WASHINGTON – The FBI is stepping up investigation into the reported cartels with Venezuela's difficult administration.
The main target of the station is the so-called Cartel de los Saul (“The Cartel of the Sands”), whose leader is said to include members of the Venezuelan army. Businessmen, investors and other cartels will face the possibility of US justice, a source familiar with the bureau's debate said.
“It's a big job, but if successful it's historical. Anyone with blood-soaked dollars in their pockets should be worried,” the person added.
During Trump's first term, his administration chased Cartel de los Salles as part of his willingness to illegal drug trafficking.
The cartel is currently not labelled as a foreign terrorist organization, but last month the State Department slapped eight Latin America-based crime rings operating in the US under that label, including Venezuelan prison gangster Tren de Aragua.
The second source stated that the FBI's goal is to cripple the “wide financial system and the entire organization” of these groups.
“Just like Trump eliminated ISIS, it will be overdrive for this administration. It is a huge pillar of creating the “America First” movement and the security of America. Close the borders, put out criminals, stop the flow of drugs and make sure they don't come back,” the person said.
As of late 2024, Tren de Aragua had established a presence in more than a dozen states thanks to the Biden administration's loose border policy.
In New York City, the gang is responsible for Smash and Grub's moped robbery, shooting, assault on NYPD officers and sex trafficking on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, authorities say.
President Trump has a long history of tensions with the Maduro dictatorship. In his first term, President 45 threatened to use the US troops to stand up to power.
Meanwhile, Maduro announced in 2019 that he would cut ties with the US after Venezuela recognized Juan Guaido as interim president after the election.
Trump is “opposed to the Maduro administration,” White House press chief Caroline Leavitt told reporters at a press conference last month.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News: “Brian Kilmeade is a horrifying dictator who has instilled all sorts of instability.”
Despite public opposition, the Trump administration held a meeting with the Maduro administration. This led to the resumption of deportation flights to South American countries and the return of six American hostages.
FBI director Kash Patel testified at the hearing that one of his priorities was targeting Narco Trufficking.
Last month, the federal government handed over 29 cartel members from Mexico after Trump threatened a full 25% tariff if a neighbor in the US in the South failed to crack down on drug smuggling.
The partial tariffs came into effect last week after meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sinbaum and then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau failed to reach an agreement.
The FBI did not respond immediately to inquiries from the post.
