The FBI has raised concerns about the Venezuelan government allegedly using members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang to destabilize countries, including the United States. A senior official from the Trump administration shared details from an FBI assessment with Fox News, indicating that officials from Nicolás Maduro’s regime might be employing these gang members as proxies to further their agenda.
According to the report, the FBI believes that Maduro’s government is willing to violate the sovereignty of neighboring countries like Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia to promote its interests. The assessment suggests that within the next six to 18 months, Venezuelan officials may try to use TdA members in the U.S. to threaten or harm Venezuelans living abroad who oppose the regime.
This situation unfolds amid legal challenges faced by the Trump administration regarding the deportation of Venezuelan migrants suspected of being linked to the TdA. Some judges have questioned the legality of using wartime measures for these deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. For instance, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein emphasized that individuals must be informed of their alleged actions, while Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney expressed doubts about the government’s claims of "irregular warfare" to justify the deportations.
In a related development, Maduro has vowed to assist Venezuelans deported to El Salvador, asserting that they have been treated unjustly and without due process. Trump’s administration has been working to expedite the removal of suspected TdA members, and the Supreme Court recently allowed these deportations to proceed after lifting a previous block.
As these events unfold, the implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations and the safety of the Venezuelan diaspora remain significant. The situation highlights the complexities of international politics and the challenges faced by individuals caught in the crossfire.