U.S. Targets Tren de Aragua in Historic Executive Order

In a significant move, former President Trump's executive order aimed at Venezuelan citizens affiliated with the gang Tren de Aragua raises concerns about its growing criminal activities, prompting immediate legal challenges and federal designation efforts.

President Trump recently issued an executive order invoking the Alien Enemies Act, targeting Venezuelan citizens aged 14 and older linked to Tren de Aragua, a gang whose origins trace back to a prison in Venezuela. The order asserts that these individuals "are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies." Though the order faced swift legal challenges, the rise of this gang has drawn the attention of U.S. law enforcement.

Tren de Aragua (translated as the Train of Aragua) has gained notoriety for its violent operations stretching across Latin America. The gang emerged in Tocorón prison, which became akin to a mini-city with amenities like a pool and restaurants under the control of its leaders. With Venezuela's economic collapse and increased governmental repression under President Nicolás Maduro, Tren de Aragua began preying on vulnerable migrants, evolving into a formidable force involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and more.

In recent years, Colombian authorities accused the gang of committing multiple murders, relying on gruesome tactics to instill fear. Allegations of body parts found in bags further underscore the gang's brutality. Additionally, members have been apprehended in countries like Chile and Brazil, where Tren de Aragua has formed alliances with local crime syndicates such as Primeiro Comando da Capital. The Biden administration officially designated the group as a transnational criminal organization in 2024, highlighting the growing concern among U.S. officials regarding its operations on the East Coast and beyond.