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[GreyDynamics] 1.0 Introduction
The Cartel of the Suns (Spanish: Cártel de los Soles) is a Venezuelan criminal organisation allegedly led by members of the Venezuelan Government and high-ranking officers of Venezuela’s Armed Forces.
Los Soles are mainly involved in international cocaine trafficking, mainly along the country’s western border with Colombia, and the Caribbean coast. They are also involved in fuel smuggling and control of illegal mining activity. These include direct participation in the extraction and smuggling of gold, coltan, precious stones and other minerals.
This article analyses the origin and purpose of the cartel, its alleged members, and its links to other criminal organisations. This cartel is particularly notable, due to allegations that it is led by the Venezuelan government itself through the military elite.
2.0 History and Mission of Los Soles
2.1 Origins
The presence of Los Soles dates back to the 1990s when evidence was uncovered by the US that Bolivarian National Guard soldiers collaborated with drug traffickers, mainly by accepting payments to let traffickers pass through with their goods (source).
However, the term “Cartel of the Suns” first emerged in 1993. Two National Guard generals, anti-narcotics unit chief Ramón Guillén Dávila and his successor Orlando Hernández Villegas, were investigated by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for drug trafficking and related crimes (source). Given their position as brigade commanders, each wore a sun as an insignia on their epaulettes, which gave rise to the name “Cártel del Sol”. When further DEA investigations into the involvement in drug trafficking of the division’s commanders, who held double sunshine because of their rank, came to light, the term was changed to “Cartel of the Suns” (source).
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6.0 Allies and Enemies
6.1 FARC
The previous connections and trafficking relationships between the Cartel of the Suns and the FARC guerrillas have continued since the guerrillas’ demobilisation in 2017. This is done through cooperation with some factions of the FARC splinter groups, known collectively as the former FARC Mafia. Notably the Acacio Medina Front and the Segunda Marquetalia. However, relations with other factions, notably the 10th Front, have soured. They and their drug trafficking operations have since been extensively monitored by the army.
6.2 ELN
The National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas have also become a key ally of Los Soles. They have taken advantage of the FARC’s demobilisation to expand their presence in Venezuela and their involvement in drug trafficking in the region. In recent months the ELN has been in contact with the new (left-wing) president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro. This led to the formal resumption of peace talks. The ELN may follow in the footsteps of the now-extinct FARC. However, there will likely be factions that refuse to lay down their arms and continue their criminal activity. This was the case with the FARC dissidence (source).
6.3 Hezbollah
In recent years, reports have evidence of the Venezuelan government’s closeness to Hezbollah. The group has a tight relationship with Iran. At the same time, Iran has established covert operations in Venezuela, with Hezbollah coming along as its proxy. Venezuela has been a crucial source of political, financial, and logistical support for Hezbollah (source).
According to a secret dossier compiled by Venezuelan agents a few years ago, Tareck El Aissami, former Venezuelan vice president and current industry minister, helped recruit Hezbollah members to expand spying and drug trafficking networks in the region.
Furthermore, Hezbollah has established a crime structure in Venezuela that operates through segmented familial groups. Some are the Nassereddine, Saleh, and Rada clans. These groups infiltrate both the illicit economy controlled by the regime and its political apparatus. Hezbollah also exerts control in some regions like Margarita Island, where they can operate safely (source) (source).
Hezbollah, backed by Tehran, has established an efficient and advanced criminal network in Venezuela. The group finances itself by laundering money on behalf of criminal organisations. Then they use the proceeds to fund its activities in Lebanon and Syria. This network extends its influence into neighbouring Colombia and other countries in the region (source).
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