(DailyChive.com) – The U.S. formally categorizes Tren de Aragua, a notorious Venezuelan gang, as a foreign terrorist organization, citing its violent criminal activities.
At a Glance
- The U.S. indicts 27 members of Tren de Aragua for racketeering and firearms crimes.
- Governor Abbott designates the gang as a foreign terrorist organization in Texas.
- Tren de Aragua is linked to severe crimes including murder and sex trafficking.
- Authorities have arrested 21 of the 27 defendants, while six remain fugitives.
Tren de Aragua Indictments and Designation
The U.S. government indicted 27 individuals associated with Tren de Aragua, emphasizing its status as a foreign terrorist organization. This action follows the gang’s involvement in murder, assaults, and sex trafficking, making it a significant security threat. Attorney General Pam Bondi noted the arrests would substantially weaken the gang’s presence across three states.
Tren de Aragua operates aggressively, aligned with certain elements of the Venezuelan political landscape. Hostilities between its members and a splinter faction known as anti-Tren continue to fuel internal violence. These dynamics underline the gang’s complex structure and criminal reach.
State Response and Legal Framework
Governor Greg Abbott responded by launching a state operation in Texas, targeting Tren de Aragua’s criminal endeavors. The designation as a terrorist organization allows Texas to employ stringent legal measures such as civil asset forfeiture and harsher penalties.
“The recent entry and expansion of the vicious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, is a dangerous and deadly problem facing our state and nation,” said Governor Abbott. “Our top focus is the safety and security of all Texans. To address this looming threat, I have ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to launch a statewide operation directly targeting Tren de Aragua to deter and disrupt their criminal operation. I am also officially designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization. Our goal is to defend Texas from the growing threat of the gang. We will not let them use Texas as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens. They have a target on their back, and we are going after them. Texas is the wrong state for them to try to do business in.” – Governor Abbott.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been directed to form a TdA Strike Team, collaborating with law enforcement agencies to curb the gang’s influence. DPS Director McCraw described these gangsters as highly threatening, highlighting Texas’s firm stance in preventing their establishment.
Federal and Local Perspectives
The Trump administration employs the gang’s threat to advocate for aggressive deportation policies. With 21 members in custody and six remaining as fugitives, the focus remains on reducing the group’s operational footprint in the U.S.
“Tren de Aragua is not just a street gang — it is a highly structured terrorist organization that has destroyed American families with brutal violence” – Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Despite federal efforts, New York City officials, wary of increased immigrant deportations, resist aligning strictly with these federal enforcement policies. This friction underscores the complex dynamics between local governance and national security directives.
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