In one of his administration's first moves, President Donald Trump announced a dramatic move to crack down on the violent Venezuelan immigrant gang “Tren de Aragua,” which has terrorized American cities in the past few months. Signed an executive order to take action.
Torren de Aragua, also known as “TDA,” is a Venezuelan criminal group with a presence in more than a dozen cities in the United States. The group has ties to socialist Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and, according to experts, is being used as a tool of asymmetric warfare to sow chaos and disunity in the United States.
Jose Gustavo Arocha, a former senior Venezuelan military official and senior fellow at the U.S.-based Center for Secure and Free Societies, says Trump's order is a “good first step down the route.” Neutralizing the TDA, which he said was an “extraordinary move”. ”
The title “Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organizations'' will be given to newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Torren de Aragua, Mexico. Gangs of MS-13 and other immigrants are directed to move. Gangs as “foreign terrorist organizations.”
Who is Torren de Aragua? Malicious Venezuelan gangs following in the footsteps of America's MS-13
On his first day in office, January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump directs the State Department and other executive departments to take steps to label “Tren de Aragua” and other immigrant gangs “foreign terrorist organizations.” signed an executive order to do so. (Reuters/Getty)
The foreign terrorist designation expands the government's ability to police criminal groups operating in the United States, allowing all government agencies, including the Treasury Department, to target them from all angles.
The order states that these groups “present an extraordinary and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,” and invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEP) to declare a national emergency and ” Deal with them” threats. ”
“It is the policy of the United States to ensure the complete elimination of the presence of these organizations in the United States and their ability to threaten the territory, safety, and security of the United States through extraterritorial command and control structures. “Protect sexuality,” reads the order.
This order consults with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence to make policy recommendations regarding the designation of TDA, MS-13, and any Give Rubio days. Other groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
Texas government. Abbott designates Venezuelan gang Torren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization
Marco Rubio speaks after being sworn in as Secretary of State by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on January 21, 2025 in Washington, Washington. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
According to Arocha, this move could spell the beginning of the end of TDA's reign of terror in the United States.
“This executive order signed by Trump is perfect for neutralizing the unconventional tools created by the Venezuelan regime,” he said. “TDA is an asymmetric and unconventional tool that harms the United States. [and] Not just the US, but all regions… [so] Unconventional tools must also be used. ”
Joseph Hamia, executive director of the Center for Safe and Free Societies, who authored a report on how to dismantle the TDA in 2024, told Fox News Digital that designating these groups as foreign terrorist organizations would threaten U.S. national security. We explained that it would be placed at the “highest level” of coverage. Profits can be targeted to their funds and all organizations that enable them as well.
“Trump just put all of that on notice,” Hire said. We know you're not good, and we're going to come after you. ”
Torren de Aragua was believed to be behind the murder of an immigration officer near the border
Tren de Aragua (TDA) members arrested in Texas (Tren de Aragua (TDA) member arrested in Texas)
“Now, critics might say, well, he's going to create a war on fear and drugs, and that's really a fear response. They say: “Oh, you know, these guys are so dangerous,” and you know about criminality, whether it's terrorism or any kind of crime, they It only responds to strength. They prey on fear. If they think you're scared of attacking you more, he said.. ”
In addition to sending a message of strength, Hamia said the executive order states that “meaningful action is really happening.”
Andrew Arthur, a law and policy expert at the Center for Immigration Studies, told Fox News Digital that one of the most important aspects of designating the TDA is that it allows the U.S. government to target TDA funds. He said he is doing so. They are dry. ”
For information on immigration compensation, click here
Map of Trendea Aragua's presence in the United States as of December 2024. (Fox News Digital)
Click here to get the Fox News app
“Money is the lifeblood of these organizations,” he said. “It's actually all these financing elements that are essential to going after terrorist organizations, because if you cut them out of the money, they can't pay people. If you pay bribes to corrupt officials, , they can't pay the foot soldiers, they can't buy the big guns and what they were running.“
“It's not just the guy with the AK-47 or the guy with the terrorist IED. It's all the people who helped make it possible,” he continued. “So in addition to designating them as terrorist organizations and going after the Keepers or the kingpins of these organizations and the various foot soldiers that they recruit, you can also go after individuals who provide material support. Masu.”
