Venezuela and Drug Cartels: A Deepening Crisis of Crime, Corruption, and Collapse

In recent years, Venezuela has become a focal point in discussions about the intersection of state power, criminal networks, and international drug trafficking. What was once predominantly a transit corridor for cocaine from neighboring Colombia has evolved into a complex mosaic of illicit economies, political decay, and geopolitical tensions that involve drug cartels, high-ranking officials, and foreign intelligence agencies. This nexus has had profound implications for Venezuelan society, regional security, and global efforts against organized crime. Venezuela and Drug Cartels

From Transit Hub to Criminal Ecosystem

Traditionally, Venezuela’s role in drug trafficking was that of a transit hub: cocaine produced in Colombia passed through Venezuelan territory on its way to markets in North America and Europe. However, over the last decade, this role has expanded dramatically. Intelligence estimates suggest that more than 60 % of cocaine reaching the United States and Europe passes through Venezuela, a stark indicator of how entrenched the problem has become.

This evolution did not occur in a vacuum. Decades of political upheaval, economic collapse, and institutional corruption created fertile ground for criminal enterprises.

The Cartel of the Suns: Myth or Reality?

Central to the narrative of Venezuela’s narco-political crisis is the so-called Cartel of the Suns (Cartel de los Soles), a term originating in the 1990s to describe alleged networks of military officials involved in drug trafficking. In 2025, the U.S. went so far as to designate it a Foreign Terrorist Organization, arguing that it had transformed state institutions into instruments of narcotics trafficking.

However, recent reporting suggests a more nuanced reality. Some analysts argue that the Cartel of the Suns is less a structured cartel with a clear hierarchy and more a patronage network within the Venezuelan state, where corruption and illicit facilitation are interwoven with official duties. This network is embedded in military, security, and political institutions, making it harder to define in traditional cartel terms.

Transnational Links and Global Impact

Venezuela’s drug ecosystem is not confined within its borders. It interfaces with a range of criminal actors and geopolitical forces. Evidence suggests cooperation — whether transactional or strategic — between Venezuelan networks and foreign groups such as Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, Colombian guerrilla factions like the ELN, and even non-Latin criminal networks.

The result is a transnational criminal pipeline that stretches from the Andes to West Africa and Europe, reshaping global drug markets and challenging law enforcement. Venezuela’s geographic location — with miles of coastline, remote jungles, and weak governance zones — makes it especially attractive for traffickers.

State Response and Geopolitical Tensions

The Venezuelan government, especially under Maduro, has publicly denied that the nation is a drug trafficking state. Officials argue that Venezuela does not cultivate coca and that the U.S. exaggerates threats to justify political intervention. At times, authorities have asserted that the drug issue is a pretext for foreign interference.

These developments occur against a backdrop of rising regional tensions. The U.S. has pursued aggressive counter-drug strategies in the Caribbean, including military deployments, naval interdictions, and intelligence operations.

Societal Consequences in Venezuela

Inside Venezuela, the consequences of this narcotics entanglement are grave. Drug trafficking and related criminal activities have intensified insecurity, fueled violent crime, and eroded public trust in institutions.

The economic angle is also stark. Cocaine trafficking, extortion, illegal mining, and smuggling now support entire local economies, blurring the line between survival and criminality.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Imperatives

Addressing Venezuela’s drug cartel problem requires more than law enforcement. It demands political reform, institutional rebuilding, and international cooperation that prioritizes human security over geopolitical posturing. Efforts to dismantle cartel networks are unlikely to succeed without confronting the systemic corruption that underpins them.