Trump Administration names Venezuela’s president as member of terrorist organization

(CNN, KYMA) - The United States has formally designated Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as a member of a foreign terrorist organization.

This means the Trump Administration could have expanded authority to take action in Venezuela, such as imposing fresh sanctions targeting President Maduro's assets and infrastructure. However, according to legal experts, it doesn't explicitly authorize the use of lethal force.

The designation is "Cartel de los Soles." It's used to describe a decentralized network of Venezuelan groups within the armed forces linked to drug trafficking.

Experts say it's more of a description of allegedly corrupt government officials than an organized crime group.

Administration officials have been making the case the designation will give the U.S. expanded military options for striking inside Venezuela.

It comes as the U.S. military has amassed more than a dozen warships into the region as part of what the pentagon has branded "Operation Southern Spear."

The U.S. military has killed dozens of people in boat strikes as part of the anti-drug trafficking campaign.

Maduro has always denied any personal involvement in drug trafficking and the existence of the alleged cartel.