As Washington escalates pressure on Venezuela, any push for regime change risks becoming a costly, dangerous gamble — not the quick fix President Trump might hope for.

A key move was Washington's formal designation of the Cartel de los Soles, a network it alleges is deeply tied to top Venezuelan officials, as a terrorist organization, which came into effect on Monday. Venezuela called the label a "ridiculous scheme" intended to justify an unlawful intervention in Venezuela.

The U.S. declared an alleged cartel in Venezuela a terrorist organization, the latest action targeting the country and the Maduro government.

The Trump administration could have expanded authority to take action in Venezuela starting Monday, as the US designates Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro addressed thousands of supporters amid U.S. pressure, declaring, "Failure is not an option."

International airlines are canceling flights to Venezuela after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned pilots about security risks and increased military activity.

U.S. aviation warning prompts flight cancellations to Venezuela as Trump administration designates Cartel de los Soles as foreign terrorist organization.

The United States has designated the Cartel de los Soles (Spanish for Cartel of the Suns) - a group it alleges is headed by Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, and senior figures in his government - as a foreign terrorist organisation.