What to Know About Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan Gang Trump is Targeting for Deportations

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

The gang is suspected of being used by the Venezuelan government to destabilize surrounding nations and the United States.

The Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua made headlines last year when stories emerged alleging its members had taken control of several apartment buildings in a Colorado suburb, extorting and terrorizing local residents.

The gang has been operating for over a decade but has recently come under scrutiny as President Donald Trump has classified them as a state-sponsored terrorist organization with ties to Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, and implemented mass deportations of their members using a 200-year old law known as the Alien Enemies Act.

Here’s what to know.

Origins

Tren de Aragua (TdA) originated in Tocoron prison in the Venezuelan state of Aragua, which had been taken over by its inmates. The name is Spanish for “Train of Aragua,” and it is possible that some of its original members were disaffected rail workers.

Since its inception around 2014, TdA has snaked out to other South American countries, and has been linked to a wide slate of crimes including drugs, human trafficking, predatory lending, and extortion schemes in Colombia, Chile, and Peru.

Chilean officials blame the group for the April 2024 kidnap and murder of former Venezuelan lieutenant Ronald Ojeda, a dissident from Maduro’s government who had been granted asylum in Santiago.

In November 2023 media outlet InsightCrime reported that anti-Venezuelan sentiments were growing in Peru, fueled by a TdA-linked gang’s extortion and harassment of local business owners.

Following a protest by business owners and attacks on Venezuelan migrants, the offshoot gang released a video threatening to kill local motorcyclists in retaliation.

Although Venezuelan police raided Tocoron prison and regained control in 2023, a Venezuelan native who asked for anonymity told The Epoch Times that locals understood that TdA thoroughly infiltrated that country’s law enforcement.

The person also said they felt Maduro was using the gang to weaken the surrounding nations through crime and unrest.

Activities in America

Joseph M. Humire, executive director of the think tank Center for a Secure Free Society, testified before Congress that Venezuela, along with Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran, was seeking to “capitalize on the U.S. border and immigration crisis,” by introducing TdA as chaos agents to destabilize the United States.

Humire said Maduro’s government used TdA to control human trafficking, operating through organizations such as the state-run immigration outfit SAIME.

By Stacy Robinson

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Privilege Is Financial, Not Racial

If we stay divided by race, we’ll keep fighting each other while the true elites of all races thrive unseen, counting their wealth in comfort.

California Repeats Illinois’ History, PROSECUTE Newsom!

California may have improperly licensed 62,000 illegal aliens as Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) truck drivers.

The Stage Is Set For A US-Instigated Security Dilemma Between The Eurasian Rimland & Heartland

The US sends mixed signals on the Sino-Russo alliance after Trump downplayed concerns while Hegseth said he was ordered to “re-establish deterrence.”

Chambers of Horror

Using a shutdown to legislate is like using a flame thrower to light a candle, it provides light momentarily but destroys everything in its path.

Government Shutdown, Health Care, Tax Breaks=Perfect Storm

The shutdown over cuts to health subsidies for the poor stems from Trump’s OBBB plan, which critics say funneled trillions to the wealthy.

About 80 Missing Children Rescued, 1,700 People Arrested in Memphis: Bondi

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal operations in Memphis this month recovered 80 missing children and arrested 1,700 people, including 126 gang members.

San Jose Proclaims ‘Republic of China Day,’ Honors Taiwanese Community’s Contributions

San Jose declared Oct. 25 “Republic of China Day,” honoring the Taiwanese American community’s cultural and economic contributions to the city.

US Tightens Ban on Chinese Tech Gears

The United States has extended its ban on Chinese electronics to cover products partly made by companies blacklisted on national security grounds.

FDA Says It’s Eliminating Requirements for Generic Versions of Expensive Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration in draft guidance said it will reduce instances where large human trials are required for biosimilars.

US, South Korea Finalize Trade Deal Reducing Tariffs, Boosting American Investment

The U.S. and South Korea finalized a major trade deal on Oct. 29 as President Trump wrapped up the final hours of his Asian tour on the Korean Peninsula.

Trump, Japanese PM Sign Critical Minerals, Rare Earths Deal

The U.S. president visited Tokyo on the second leg...

Trump Hikes Canada’s Tariffs by 10 Percent for Not Pulling Anti-Tariff Ad Immediately

Trump announced he will increase tariffs on Canada by 10% after ad by provincial government of Ontario misrepresented President Reagan’s speech on tariffs.

Trump Rolls Back Emissions Rules on Copper Smelters

President Trump issued a proclamation aimed at reversing a Biden-era environmental rule that enforced stricter air emission standards on copper smelters.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central