Maduro’s Regime Sustained by Drug Trafficking, Report Reveals

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has been accused of relying on drug trafficking to maintain his regime, according to a report by Transparencia Venezuela. The analysis highlights that the country’s illicit economy generates over $8 billion annually, with funds directly benefiting the security, military, and bureaucratic apparatus that supports Maduro’s government.

The report notes that during periods of strict sanctions, the illicit economy accounted for 21.7% of Venezuela’s GDP, underscoring its central role in regime survival. It also estimates that roughly 24% of global cocaine production passes through Venezuela, with the government collaborating with transnational cartels such as the Cartel de los Soles, Sinaloa Cartel, and Gulf Cartel. Additionally, the regime is linked to guerrilla groups like FARC dissidents and criminal gangs such as Tren de Aragua.

Unlike conventional sanctions, which harm ordinary Venezuelans while leaving the regime’s leadership intact, targeting drug trafficking strikes at the heart of Maduro’s financial lifeline. This approach could disrupt the loyalty of his security apparatus and pave the way for genuine regime change. The Trump administration should reject any offers that preserve the regime’s structure, as the drug crisis poses a national security threat to the United States and other nations.

The report emphasizes that transnational criminal networks operate with near impunity in environments of systemic corruption, allowing them to function as sophisticated enterprises. Military operations targeting these networks are essential for addressing the root of the problem, with a focus on cutting off the regime’s revenue sources.

A systematic campaign against drug trafficking is necessary to weaken Maduro’s hold on power, according to the analysis. This strategy could lead to significant changes in Venezuela’s political landscape if executed effectively.