As the U.S. Government shutdown has ended, a number of temporarily closed foreign affairs offices/functions have just re-opened, and we should expect to see a return to the normal flow of non-emergency announcements. Case in point, on November 13, the Department of State announced that it will designate four groups in Europe as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), effective November 20, 2025. In addition, on November 16, the Department announced that it is designating Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization effective November 24.
Making the first announcement, the State Department clarified that the designation of Antifa Ost and other violent Antifa groups “supports President Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum-7, an initiative to disrupt self-described “anti-fascism” networks, entities, and organizations that use political violence and terroristic acts to undermine democratic institutions, constitutional rights, and fundamental liberties.” See the detailed fact sheet below.
It further noted that “Groups affiliated with this movement ascribe to revolutionary anarchist or Marxist ideologies, including anti-Americanism, “anti-capitalism,” and anti-Christianity, using these to incite and justify violent assaults domestically and overseas.”
It should be noted that the FTO designation is a statutory tool for foreign organisations under U.S. law. In the case of Antifa (imported from Germany), designating its U.S.-based component as a terror organization could pose legal questions, but Trump declared Antifa a “domestic terror organization” by Executive Order on September 22, so all bases are covered now.
Regarding Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles, the State Department explained in a brief media release that it is headed by Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking individuals of the illegitimate Maduro regime who have corrupted Venezuela’s military, intelligence, legislature, and judiciary.
The State Department also declared that “Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela’s legitimate government. Cartel de los Soles by and with other designated FTOs including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel are responsible for terrorist violence throughout our hemisphere as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”
The Cartel de los Soles designation directly targets the Venezuelan regime’s links to narcotics and narco-terrorism, raising potential diplomatic and military escalation risks.
Begin text of Department of State Fact Sheet regarding Antifa:
Designations of Antifa Ost and Three Other Violent Antifa Groups
“Today (November 13), the Department of State announces the designation of Antifa Ost, Informal Anarchist Federation/International Revolutionary Front, Armed Proletarian Justice, and Revolutionary Class Self-Defense as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) and the intent to designate all four groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), effective November 20, 2025.
Antifa Ost
Antifa Ost (also known as Antifa East and Hammerbande) is a Germany-based militant group. Antifa Ost conducted numerous attacks against individuals it perceives as “fascists” or part of the “right-wing scene” in Germany between 2018 and 2023 and is accused of having conducted a series of attacks in Budapest in mid-February 2023.
On September 26, 2025, Hungary declared Antifa Ost to be a terrorist organization and added the group to its national anti-terrorism list.
Informal Anarchist Federation/International Revolutionary Front (FAI/FRI)
FAI/FRI is a militant anarchist group that primarily operates in Italy with historical self-proclaimed affiliates across Europe, South America, and Asia. FAI/FRI declares the necessity of the revolutionary armed struggle against nation states and “The Fortress Europe.”
Since 2003, FAI/FRI has claimed responsibility for threats of violence, bombs, and letter bombs against political and economic institutions, including a courthouse and other “capitalist institutions.”
Armed Proletarian Justice
Armed Proletarian Justice is a Greek anarchist and “anti-capitalist” group that has attempted and conducted improvised explosive device (IED) attacks against Greek government targets.
Armed Proletarian Justice claimed responsibility for planting a bomb near the Greek riot police headquarters in Goudi, Greece on December 18, 2023.
Revolutionary Class Self-Defense
Revolutionary Class Self-Defense is a Greek anarchist and “anti-capitalist” group. The group links its actions to broader political and social issues and cites opposition to “capitalist structures,” “state repression,” and solidarity with Palestine.
Revolutionary Class Self-Defense claimed responsibility for two IED attacks targeting the Greece Ministry of Labor (February 3, 2024) and the Hellenic Train offices (April 11, 2025).
Terrorist designations expose and isolate entities and individuals, denying them access to the U.S. financial system and resources they need to carry out attacks. All property and property interests of designated individuals or groups that are in the United States or that are in possession or control of a U.S. person are blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting business with sanctioned persons. It is also a crime to knowingly provide material support or resources to those designated, or to attempt or conspire to do so.
Persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with those designated today may expose themselves to sanctions risk. Notably, engaging in certain transactions with them entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to counterterrorism authorities.
Today’s actions are taken pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224. FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register.”
