Trump Linked Tren De Aragua With Venezuela's Regime To Conduct Swift Deportations, But The Intelligence Says Otherwise

The intelligence community's findings cast doubt on Trump's justification for invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798

Demian Bio @bio_demian / Published Mar 21 2025, 3:55 PM EDT

President Donald Trump has said that Venezuelan-born gang Tren De Aragua is operating under the direction of Venezuela's authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro, a claim that played a key role in his decision to invoke a centuries-old wartime law to swiftly deport hundreds of nationals of the South American country.

However, a recent intelligence assessment contradicts that claim and concluded that is not the case, the New York Times reported, citing officials familiar with the report.

The intelligence community's findings cast doubt on Trump's justification for invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which administration used to transfer the migrants to an infamous high-security prison in El Salvador without due process.

The assessment, which represents the consensus of multiple intelligence agencies, reportedly determined that the gang was neither directed by the Venezuelan government nor committing crimes in the United States on its behalf.

The report found no evidence supporting that assertion and described the gang as disorganized, lacking the capacity to execute state-directed operations. It also noted that Venezuelan security forces have engaged in violent clashes with the group, suggesting hostility rather than coordination.

More:
https://www.latintimes.com/trump-linked-tren-de-aragua-venezuelas-regime-conduct-swift-deportations-intelligence-says-578994