Tren de Aragua

Tren de Aragua Latest News

The US President invoked the Alien Enemies Act (1798) for the first time since World War II to deport suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).

What is the Tren de Aragua (TdA) Gang?

• Origin: Founded in 2014 inside Tocorón Prison, Aragua state, Venezuela.
• Expansion: Spread across Colombia, Peru, Chile, and the US, exploiting Venezuelan migrants.
• Criminal activities: Engaged in drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, murder, and kidnapping.
• Political links: Chile accused Venezuelan authorities of colluding with the gang in the murder of a former Venezuelan opposition officer in 2023.

What is the Alien Enemies Act?

• Enacted in 1798 to combat spying and sabotage during tensions with France.
• Authorizes the U.S. President to deport, detain, or impose restrictions on individuals who have primary allegiance to a foreign power and pose a national security risk in wartime.
• This can be invoked under two conditions:
  • During a declared war.
  • In case of an invasion or predatory incursion by a foreign power.
• The act remains in effect until explicitly revoked by the President.

Historical Use of the Alien Enemies Act

• War of 1812: Used against British citizens during conflict with the United Kingdom.
• World War I: President Woodrow Wilson barred enemy citizens from owning firearms, explosives, and publishing certain materials.
• World War II: President Franklin D. Roosevelt used it to justify internment camps for people of Japanese, German, and Italian descent. Continued by President Harry Truman until 1951.
• Post-World War II: Supreme Court upheld the deportation of Kurt Ludecke, a former Nazi, in 1948, ruling that the act could still be used after wartime.

Why is the US Deporting TdA Members?

• The White House called TdA "one of the most violent terrorist gangs", involved in rape, murder, and extortion.
• Modern Interpretation of "Invasion": Traditionally referred to military attacks, but some politicians argue illegal immigration and drug trafficking qualify as an "invasion".
• The White House used this argument to justify mass deportations under the act.

Legal and Constitutional Aspects

• The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the act’s constitutionality.
• Courts have ruled that it can be used even after wartime (e.g., 1948 ruling on Nazi deportation).
• Democratic lawmakers have proposed repealing the act, citing concerns over civil rights violations and historical misuse, such as internment camps.

Tren de Aragua FAQs

Q1. What is Tren de Aragua?

Ans. Tren de Aragua is a transnational criminal organization originating from Venezuela. It is involved in activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, human smuggling, and arms trafficking across Latin America and beyond.

Q2. Where does Tren de Aragua operate?

Ans. The group primarily operates in Venezuela but has expanded to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and other parts of Latin America. Reports also suggest its influence in North America and Europe.

Q3. What are the main illegal activities of Tren de Aragua?

Ans. The group is involved in drug and human trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, illegal mining, arms smuggling, and contract killings.

Q4. How did Tren de Aragua originate?

Ans: Tren de Aragua was originally formed in Venezuelan prisons as a gang linked to the construction sector. It later evolved into a powerful criminal syndicate, leveraging its prison networks to expand its operations.

Source: IE