Yaqeen Blog

On December 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) enacted a significant escalation in its pressure campaign against the Venezuelan government. By sanctioning seven immediate family members and close associates of the Maduro-Flores network, the Trump administration has signaled a definitive shift away from diplomatic engagement toward a policy of total financial and maritime isolation. For geopolitical analysts, defense experts, and human rights defenders, these actions represent a formal classification of the Venezuelan state as a "narco-terrorist" entity, with profound implications for regional stability in early 2026.

1. The Real Reasons Behind the Allegations

While the public rhetoric from the Treasury focuses on "flooding the U.S. with drugs," strategic intelligence suggests three deeper motivations for this December 2025 escalation:

• The Failed "Barbados Agreement": Washington has officially abandoned the policy of sanctions relief in exchange for democratic concessions. Re-sanctioning Malpica Flores (previously removed in 2022) signals that the U.S. no longer believes Maduro will allow a peaceful transition of power. 

• The Oil-Narco Nexus: The Treasury is targeting individuals like Ramon Carretero Napolitano, a Panamanian businessman accused of using "shadow fleets" to move Venezuelan oil.⁴ The U.S. alleges that the proceeds from these deceptive shipments are laundered to fund the Cartel of the Suns.  

• Military Escalation: These sanctions coincide with a major U.S. naval buildup in the Caribbean, including strikes on suspected drug vessels that have killed over 80 people since September.⁵ Labeling the regime as "narco-terrorists" establishes a legal framework for a potential total naval blockade. 

2. Does Venezuela Really Have Drug Cartels?

The short answer is yes, but they do not look like the traditional cartels of Mexico. In Venezuela, the "cartel" is embedded within the state's military and intelligence wings.

The Cartel of the Suns (Cartel de los Soles)

This is not a single hierarchical organization but a loose network of cells within the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB).

• Origin of the Name: It refers to the "sun" emblems worn on the uniforms of Venezuelan generals.

• Function: Unlike traditional cartels that fight the state, the Cartel of the Suns is the state. It provides the "permissive environment" that allows groups like the ELN and FARC dissidents to move hundreds of metric tons of cocaine from Colombia through Venezuelan ports and clandestine airstrips.

3. Is Maduro Directly Involved?

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains a $25 million reward for Maduro’s arrest, alleging he is the ultimate "leader" of this narco-terrorism conspiracy.

• The Indictment: Maduro is accused of using the Venezuelan military to provide "security" and heavy weaponry for drug traffickers in exchange for personal wealth and regime stability.

• The "Flores" Connection: The involvement of his wife’s family—the "Narco Nephews"—is often cited as the smoking gun.⁹ Their 2016 conviction for attempting to ship 800kg of cocaine via the presidential hangar directly linked the First Family to the logistics of the trade.

• The Counter-Argument: Maduro claims these allegations are an "imperialist invention" designed to justify a military coup to seize Venezuela’s oil reserves—the largest in the world. He argues that the real drug problem lies in Colombian production and American consumption.

4. Intel Data: Security Metrics (Dec 2025)

5. Summary for Journalists and Activists

The December 19 sanctions are a "final warning." By targeting the entire familial network, the U.S. is attempting to freeze the liquid assets Maduro uses to buy the loyalty of his generals. For human rights defenders, the concern is that as the "narco-state" is backed into a corner, its reliance on criminal groups like the Tren de Aragua to maintain domestic control will lead to a spike in extrajudicial violence and repression.

Does the U.S. "Foreign Terrorist Organization" (FTO) designation of the Cartel of the Suns make a full military intervention in Venezuela more likely in early 2026?

🔗 Deep-Dive Sources & Research:

1. U.S. Treasury: Treasury Targets Family Members and Associates of Maduro Regime (Dec 19, 2025)

2. U.S. State Department: Narcotics Rewards Program - Nicolás Maduro Moros

3. InSight Crime: The Cartel of the Suns - Deep Dive into Venezuela's Military Traffickers

4. Journal of Democracy: How Venezuela Became a Gangster State (Sept 2025)

5. Reuters: U.S. Sanctions Maduro Relatives as War Fears Build in Caribbean

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the American legal and medical landscapes, President Donald Trump has officially signed an executive order to reclassify cannabis. This long-anticipated directive marks the most significant shift in U.S. drug policy since the enactment of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970.

By directing the U.S. Attorney General to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, the administration is effectively ending the federal government’s decade-long stance that cannabis has "no currently accepted medical use."

The Big Shift: From Schedule I to Schedule III

To understand the magnitude of this change, one must look at how the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) categorizes substances.

• Schedule I (Previous Status): Reserved for drugs with a high potential for abuse and zero accepted medical value (e.g., Heroin, LSD).

• Schedule III (New Status): Categorized alongside substances like Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, and anabolic steroids. These are drugs with a moderate-to-low potential for physical and psychological dependence.

What Changes—and What Doesn't?

While many are hailing this as "legalization," the reality is more nuanced. The executive order is a strategic recalibration of federal priorities rather than a total repeal of prohibition.

1. The Legal Reality

Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. The executive order does not override state laws or grant a "free pass" for recreational use in states where it hasn't been legalized. However, the reclassification significantly reduces the federal burden on businesses and researchers.

2. The Research Boom

As a Schedule I drug, conducting clinical trials on cannabis was a bureaucratic nightmare. As a Schedule III drug:

• Medical Research: Scientists can now more easily study the potential benefits for epilepsy, chronic pain, and PTSD.

• FDA Oversight: This move paves the way for the FDA to eventually regulate cannabis-derived medicines through standardized pharmaceutical channels.

3. The Economic Impact: Tax Code 280E

For the cannabis industry, the most immediate "victory" is financial. Under Section 280E of the IRS code, businesses dealing with Schedule I or II substances cannot deduct ordinary business expenses from their taxes. Reclassifying to Schedule III effectively eliminates the 280E tax penalty, potentially saving the industry billions and allowing small businesses to thrive.

Strategic Timing and Political Implications

The timing of this order, in late 2025, is viewed by political analysts as a masterstroke of "populist pragmatism." By softening the federal stance, the administration is appealing to:

• Veterans: Who have long lobbied for legal access to cannabis for trauma and pain management.

• States' Rights Advocates: Giving states more autonomy to manage their own local markets without the threat of federal interference.

• The Business Sector: Unlocking capital and banking services for an industry previously stuck in a "cash-only" limbo.

Looking Ahead: Is a Full Repeal Next?

While reclassification is a historic milestone, it leaves the "States vs. Federal" conflict in a grey area. Advocates argue that Schedule III is merely a stepping stone toward full descheduling—treating cannabis more like alcohol or tobacco.

For now, the U.S. enters a new era where the "forbidden plant" is officially recognized for its medical potential by the highest office in the land.

Do you believe reclassifying cannabis to Schedule III is enough, or should the federal government move toward full descheduling and legalization?

🔗 Reliable Sources & Further Reading:

▪️ The White House: Executive Order on Federal Cannabis Reclassification

▪️ DEA.gov: Explanation of Controlled Substance Schedules

▪️ Forbes: How Schedule III Reclassification Will Change the 280E Tax Landscape

▪️ Reuters: US Cannabis Stocks Surge Following Trump Executive Order

▪️ NORML: Tracking State vs. Federal Cannabis Laws in 2026

For years, the Indian state of Punjab has been celebrated as the nation’s breadbasket—the heart of the Green Revolution and a symbol of agrarian prosperity. Today, a much darker narrative is unfolding. Beneath the surface of its vibrant culture, a narcotics epidemic of unprecedented scale is hollowing out entire generations.

This report synthesizes field data, medical insights, and sociological research to uncover the current state of Punjab’s drug war.

The Evolution of the Epidemic

The narcotics problem in Punjab has shifted from traditional opium and poppy husk use to high-potency synthetic drugs. The primary driver of the current crisis is Heroin, locally known as "Chitta" (the white powder).

• Shift to Synthetics: The transition from natural derivatives to synthetic narcotics has increased mortality rates and made rehabilitation significantly more difficult due to the chemical's intense grip on the brain’s neural pathways.

• Demographic Expansion: Once a crisis primarily affecting unemployed rural men, data now shows a chilling trend: an increase in drug use among women, school-aged children, and the urban middle class.

Key Drivers of the Crisis

Why has Punjab, more than any other state, become the epicenter of this struggle? Several systemic factors create a "perfect storm" for addiction.

The Human Cost: Beyond the Statistics

Investigative data from ground zero reveals a heartbreaking reality that numbers alone cannot capture.

The Exploitation of the Vulnerable

One of the most harrowing aspects of the crisis is the intersection of addiction and sexual exploitation. Field reports indicate that many women caught in the cycle of heroin addiction are often forced into sex work. This creates a "double trauma" where the victim is trapped by both chemical dependency and physical exploitation.

The Healthcare Deficit

Doctors at state-run de-addiction centers highlight a critical gap in recovery. While detoxification (physical clearing of the drug) is available, long-term rehabilitation and social reintegration are severely underfunded. Without psychological support and employment opportunities, the relapse rate remains alarmingly high.

Breaking the Cycle: A Multi-Pronged Strategy

To reclaim Punjab from the grip of narcotics, experts suggest that a "police-only" approach is insufficient. A holistic strategy is required:

1. Harm Reduction: Treating addiction as a medical emergency rather than a criminal offense to encourage more users, especially women, to seek help without fear of stigma.

2. Economic Rejuvenation: Focused investment in vocational training and job creation to provide youth with a viable alternative to the drug trade.

3. Community-Led Prevention: Empowering village councils (Panchayats) to act as a primary line of defense against local peddling networks.

Data Sources and Official Reports:

▪️ National Library of Medicine: Epidemiology of Drug Abuse in Punjab

▪️ UNODC: Understanding the Global Synthetic Drug Threat

▪️ 360info: The Changing Landscape of Narcotics in North India

▪️ Ministry of Social Justice: National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India

In the mountain kingdom of Nepal, cannabis is not merely a drug; it is fundamentally sacred. Every year, during the annual festival of Maha Shivaratri, over a million Hindu devotees gather at Kathmandu's holiest temples to honor Lord Shiva, the god of creation and cosmic consciousness, by openly smoking cannabis—a ritual that has been practiced for centuries.

Yet, outside of this single, religiously protected day, the plant remains strictly illegal. This deep contradiction is not rooted in Nepali culture, but in a policy decision from the 1970s, when the country was forced to sacrifice its ancient traditions on the altar of the US-led War on Drugs.

The Hippie Trail and the Himalayan Paradise

Up until the early 1970s, cannabis was legal in Nepal. The country's ideal climate and fertile soil allowed the plant to grow wild, and the cultivation and sale of Nepalese hashish (charas) were a significant part of the agrarian economy.

• A Sanctuary: Kathmandu’s famous "Freak Street" became the final, idyllic destination on the global "Hippie Trail," attracting young travelers seeking a peaceful haven free from societal constraints and the legal threat of marijuana prohibition.

• Economic Backbone: The sale of high-quality hashish provided a robust cash crop for remote Nepalese farmers, and the commerce contributed to local revenue and early tourism.

The US Intervention: Tradition vs. Foreign Aid

The arrival of the American War on Drugs in the early 1970s spelled the end of this ancient freedom. Driven by President Richard Nixon’s global anti-drug agenda, the US administration pressured Nepal to conform to international anti-narcotics treaties.

• The Ultimatum: US officials threatened the Nepalese government with significant cuts to vital financial aid if they failed to outlaw cannabis.

• Prohibition: In 1973, Nepal capitulated, canceling all licenses for cannabis shops, dealers, and farmers. This culminated in the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act of 1976, which criminalized the cultivation and trade of the plant, pushing a thousand-year-old tradition underground.

• The Aftermath: The ban devastated rural economies in Western Nepal and displaced countless farmers, transforming a stable, legal trade into an illicit, black-market operation overnight.

The Modern Push: Economic Revival and Policy Change

Today, the political landscape is shifting, and legalization is no longer just a demand from sadhus; it is an economic movement. Nepal is actively revisiting its position on cannabis, driven by global trends and the need for domestic economic growth:

• Political Momentum: Following years of campaigning, the government in May 2024 announced plans to legalize the commercial cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes.

• The Revenue Promise: Activists and lawmakers argue that regulated cannabis farming could create new employment, revitalize agriculture in fallow lands, and significantly boost national revenue, helping to mitigate the country’s high trade deficit.

• Indigenous Rights: There is a growing push to assert intellectual property rights over Nepal's indigenous cannabis strains, which have been historically exported and branded globally without any benefit to the country.

While the push for full legalization continues to navigate legal and social challenges, the story of Nepal and cannabis remains a stark reminder of how a foreign political agenda severed a nation from a practice rooted deep in its spiritual and economic identity. For one night a year, however, the ancient tradition remains defiant, with the smoke of Shivaratri acting as a quiet protest against a 50-year-old law.

Sources

◦ The Kathmandu Post - Activists Stoked as Government Plans Medicinal Marijuana Feasibility Study (2023)

◦ The Probe - Nepal's Drug War Backlash: Fueling a Red Resurgence (2025)

◦ Wikipedia - Cannabis in Nepal (Prohibition and History)

◦ Nepal Journals Online - Cannabis, Lord Shiva and Holy Men

The fight against global drug trafficking just hit a new level of military and legal escalation. In a move signaling a dramatic policy shift, the US Treasury Department has officially designated Colombia’s most powerful criminal syndicate, Clan del Golfo (also known as the Gulf Clan or AGC), as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

This designation, announced just hours after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order classifying the opioid Fentanyl as a “Weapon of Mass Destruction” (WMD), marks a clear intention to employ national security and military tools against drug cartels. The question now is: what does this mean for the future of counter-narcotics efforts and US military presence in the Caribbean?

From Criminal Cartel to Foreign Terrorist

The Clan del Golfo (EGC) is a powerful, violent organization with an estimated 9,000 fighters controlling key illicit economies in Colombia, primarily cocaine trafficking and illegal gold mining.

The FTO designation is usually reserved for groups with clear political or ideological objectives (like Al Qaeda or ISIS). However, by classifying Clan del Golfo as an FTO, the US government unlocks a new set of legal and financial pressures:

• Financial Blockade: It mandates US financial institutions to block all assets related to the group and imposes severe criminal penalties on anyone, domestic or foreign, who provides the group with "material support."

• Legal Precedent: It increases the legal justification for offensive actions, turning drug violence into a matter of national security and potential armed conflict.

This move comes amid historic tensions between Washington and the Colombian government, whose current administration has been attempting to negotiate controversial peace talks with Clan del Golfo leaders in Qatar.

The Fentanyl Factor: A Chemical Weapon?

The FTO designation was amplified by President Trump’s executive order classifying illicit Fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction. This declaration is highly controversial, as WMD classifications are typically reserved for chemical, biological, or nuclear threats.

• WMD Justification: The administration argues that Fentanyl—which can be lethal in minuscule doses—poses a WMD-level threat due to its potential for mass casualties and its hypothetical use in "concentrated, large-scale terror attacks."

• Militarized Enforcement: The classification allows federal agencies, including the Department of War (Defense), to utilize resources and tactics traditionally employed against chemical weapons to target trafficking networks, potentially overriding existing counter-narcotics frameworks.

The Caribbean Crucible: Military Escalation

The policy shifts are already being matched by lethal action. The Trump administration has dramatically ramped up military operations in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific:

• Lethal Strikes: The US Navy has carried out more than 20 lethal strikes against vessels suspected of carrying drugs in international waters, resulting in the deaths of over 90 individuals.

• Controversy: These military strikes, which often involve drone footage showing vessels exploding, have drawn heavy scrutiny from legal experts and lawmakers who question their legality outside of declared war zones, especially given the high death toll of suspected, non-combatant smugglers.

The designation of Clan del Golfo and the Fentanyl WMD declaration solidify a new, highly militarized era in the War on Drugs, raising the stakes for stability across Latin America.

Sources

◦ U.S. Department of State - Terrorist Designations of Clan del Golfo (Dec 2025)

◦ The White House - Executive Order Designating Fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction (Dec 2025)

◦ Associated Press - The US Labels Another Latin American Cartel a Terrorist Group

◦ Wikipedia - 2025 United States Military Strikes on Alleged Drug Traffickers

In the heart of Los Angeles, a warehouse facility hums with the precision of a high-tech laboratory. This is the nerve center of Lowell Herb Co., one of California’s most recognizable cannabis brands. Known for its vintage-inspired packaging and "farm-to-table" ethos, Lowell has scaled a craft product into a massive industrial operation, producing over 4 million pre-rolled joints annually.

The company's success isn't just about volume; it’s about a meticulous production process that blends artisan quality with large-scale automation.

The Anatomy of a Lowell Pre-Roll

What sets a Lowell joint apart in a crowded market is the refusal to use "shake" or "trim"—the leftover debris common in many pre-rolls. Instead, Lowell uses 100% premium flower, seasonally harvested from their Monterey County greenhouses and a network of family farms.

The Production Workflow:

1. The Grind: Flower is ground to a specific consistency to ensure an even burn and optimal airflow.

2. The Fill & Fold: Using patented vibratory technology and automated platforms, the flower is compressed evenly into organic paper cones. This prevents the "canoeing" effect (uneven burning) that plagues lower-quality products.

3. The "Survival Kit" Packaging: Each pack is hand-finished with matches and a built-in strike pad, a signature move that has made the brand a favorite for convenience-seeking consumers.

Economic Impact and Social Conscience

Lowell Herb Co. is more than a manufacturer; it is a major economic driver in the California cannabis landscape, which remains the largest in the world.

• Job Creation: Between their 225,000-square-foot greenhouse in Salinas and their Los Angeles production hub, Lowell employs hundreds of Californians in specialized roles, from cultivation to engineering.

• The "Bull" Lowell Legacy: Named after William "Bull" Lowell—a 1900s farmer who was imprisoned for refusing to stop growing hemp—the company champions social justice. They have made headlines for their commitment to hiring individuals formerly incarcerated for non-violent cannabis offenses.

• Market Leadership: Lowell consistently ranks as the #1 non-infused pre-roll brand in California, capturing over 10% of the state's market share in its category.

Sustainability: Seed to Sale

In an industry often criticized for plastic waste, Lowell utilizes recyclable cardboard and glass tubes. Their "pledge" is built into every box: organic fertilizers, no synthetic pesticides, and a living wage for every farmer involved in the harvest.

As Lowell expands into new markets like Illinois and New Jersey, their Los Angeles facility remains the gold standard for how to scale a "boutique" feel into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

Sources

◦ SEC Filings - Lowell Farms Inc. Operational Results 2024/2025

◦ Headset.io - California Cannabis Market Share Data

◦ Insider - "Inside California's Largest Pre-Roll Facility" Report

◦ Entrepreneur - Lowell Herb Co. Business Profile