*Summer InSights 2026
Welcome to Summer InSights, our seasonal deep dive into the stories shaping Latin America’s underworld. This year, we are exploring four…
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Cocaine and Venezuela’s Cartel of the Suns, Without Maduro
About the event
For years, Nicolás Maduro built a system in which illicit revenues, from cocaine trafficking to illicit gold, flowed into the pockets of corrupt officials loyal to the Bolivarian Revolution, working in obscure, loose networks known as the Cartel of the Suns (Cartel de los Soles). But now Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are imprisoned in the United States, and a new president has taken power in Caracas — under Washington’s close watch.
Meanwhile, the so-called Cartel of the Suns remains designated a terrorist organization by the United States; the names of officials still serving in the Venezuelan government appear in multiple court cases in the United States, including Diosdado Cabello; and organized crime groups continue their operations, especially the Colombian‑Venezuelan guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional – ELN), a key player in the cocaine supply chain into Venezuela.
What do the actions of the new Chavista administration tell us about the future of organized crime in Venezuela? In this donor-exclusive event, InSight Crime experts with decades of experience analyzing the country will shed light on the possible future of the Cartel of the Suns and the influence of organized crime within the Venezuelan government.
Participants will have the opportunity to hear from our experts and ask questions. The event will be held in English.
Information to access will be sent to the email used for the donation.
*As an annual donor you will have access to this event and all future events during your active subscription period. **A one-time donation of as little as $15 or more between February 5 to February 27, 2026 provides you with access to this event only.
Donate to attend
When: February 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern time, UTC-5)
Language: English – with Zoom subtitles available in your preferred language
Where: Zoom
Access instructions will be sent to the email used for the donation.
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Between February 5, 2026, and February 27, 2026, your one-time donation of $15 or more will grant you access to this event.
February 27 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern Time