The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned in 2025 that the Venezuelan military possesses advanced fighter aircraft and multiple weapons systems capable of reaching or exceeding civil aircraft operating altitudes, and that man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) and anti-aircraft artillery can present low-altitude risks to civil aircraft.
September 01, 2025
high
operational
FAA advisory assessing military capabilities that could pose hazards to civil aviation near Venezuela.
The organization known as Cartel de los Soles ("Cartel of the Suns") has been publicly linked to Venezuelan political leaders and the Venezuelan military since at least January 2007.
January 01, 2007
high
temporal
Reports a longstanding public linkage between a named criminal organization and Venezuelan officials and forces.
The term 'Cartel de los Soles' is a Venezuelan figure of speech dating back to the 1990s that refers to Venezuelan military officials alleged to be corrupted by drug money.
January 01, 1990
high
descriptive
Used in Venezuela as a mocking reference to rank insignia (suns) on generals and to describe corruption involving military personnel and drug trafficking.
The phrase "Cartel de los Soles" originates from the sun insignia used on uniforms of high-ranking Venezuelan military officers and was used colloquially in the 1990s to refer to high-ranking officers who profited from facilitating drug trafficking.
January 01, 1990
high
temporal
Etymology and early colloquial usage of the term in Venezuela.