In brief
In a significant move, President Trump has enacted an executive order against Venezuelan citizens with links to the Tren de Aragua gang, highlighting increased U.S. concerns over its transnational activities, including violence and drug trafficking.
On March 15, 2025, President Trump announced a new executive order aiming to combat the rising threat posed by the criminal organization Tren de Aragua. The order, which invokes the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, specifically targets Venezuelan citizens aged 14 and older who are affiliated with the gang. Trump’s administration stated that these individuals “are liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies.” This executive order follows growing alarm about Tren de Aragua, which has emerged as a formidable force in the criminal underworld. Accusations regarding the gang's activities have intensified, with the Biden administration classifying it as a transnational criminal organization last year. The New York Police Department has also raised awareness of the gang’s operations, particularly on the East Coast. In January, steps were taken to designate Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization.Originating from a prison in Venezuela's Aragua state, Tren de Aragua has established itself as one of Latin America's most notorious groups, engaging in human smuggling, drug trafficking, and violent crimes. Members of the gang reportedly transformed their prison base into a well-equipped facility, where they monitored control through extreme measures such as torture and executions. As economic issues and government repression grew in Venezuela, Tren de Aragua expanded its reach throughout Latin America, leading to brutal incidents in neighboring countries. Colombian authorities have attributed multiple murders to the gang, and their associates have been arrested in Brazil and Chile while collaborating with other large criminal factions. The U.S. is now bracing for a more robust response to this escalating threat as Tren de Aragua's influence continues to spread.
