U.S. Intelligence Agencies Dispute Trump’s Claims On Tren de Aragua Gang

U.S. intelligence memos dispute Trump’s claims that Venezuela controls Tren de Aragua gang. While the Maduro regime may permit gang operations, it does not direct activities in the U.S. The findings complicate the administration’s narrative, raising concerns over public safety and the media’s role in this discourse.

A recently declassified memo from U.S. intelligence agencies contradicts President Donald Trump’s assertions that Venezuela’s government is controlling the Tren de Aragua gang. This claim has been an integral part of the Trump administration’s justification for deporting certain immigrants to an El Salvador prison. However, the National Intelligence Council’s memo clarifies that while the Maduro regime allows criminal gangs to operate freely, it does not actively direct Tren de Aragua’s operations within the United States.

According to the April 7 memo, the intelligence agencies state, “While Venezuela’s permissive environment enables TDA to operate, the Maduro regime probably does not have a policy of cooperating with TDA and is not directing TDA movement to and operations in the United States.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released this memo following a Freedom of Information Act request from the Freedom of the Press Foundation, which shared the findings with NBC News. The New York Times was the first to report on these contents.

President Trump has made use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, labeling Tren de Aragua an invading force—something that has only been done historically during wartime. He has claimed as well as administration officials have echoed sentiments that the gang operates under the control of the Venezuelan regime, stating that the gang is conducting hostile actions against the U.S.

“TdA is undertaking hostile actions and conducting irregular warfare against the territory of the United States both directly and at the direction, clandestine or otherwise, of the Maduro regime in Venezuela,” Trump noted in his proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act. This law has been utilized to deport Venezuelans and others to El Salvador, where conditions are know to be harsh.

The intelligence memo concluded its evaluation through a multi-faceted approach. The assessment suggested that the regime views Tren de Aragua as a potential threat, leading to a mix of cooperation and confrontation—a far cry from a directive relationship that links it directly to the Venezuelan government. The memo also pointed out that the decentralized structure of Tren de Aragua complicates any coordinated operations.

Interestingly, FBI analysts shared a slightly different perspective, acknowledging that certain Venezuelan officials may indeed facilitate the gang’s movement to the United States. However, they largely agreed with the overarching conclusions of the intelligence community, which contended that these non-cohesive elements do not necessarily indicate a straightforward command structure.

The existence of the memo was initially reported by The Washington Post prior to the New York Times’ coverage, which specifically called into question the assertions connecting Tren de Aragua to the Venezuelan government. In response, the Trump administration has criticized media reports as misleading and has launched investigations into leaks involving these revelations.

Lauren Harper of the Freedom of the Press Foundation expressed concerns regarding the administration’s reaction to the memo, stating, “The Trump administration claimed that the leak of this memo was so dangerous that it necessitated opening criminal investigations and creating new, stricter rules around leaks to the media.” Harper emphasized that the memo reveals more about the government’s intent to suppress information than about public safety risks.

Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, countered that media outlets are distorting intelligence assessments in relation to foreign gangs. Gabbard labelled the news coverage as propaganda that undermines the President’s efforts to protect American citizens, claiming, “Illegal immigrant criminals have raped, tortured, and murdered Americans.”

During a House Intelligence Committee hearing, Gabbard acknowledged contradictions exist concerning the gang’s Association with the Maduro regime, noting differing assessments among intelligence entities. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio contended that the specifics of whether the gang acts alone or under orders from the regime are less important than the overall impact—namely that the Venezuelan government has nurtured the gang’s development.

Concerns have been rising among Democratic lawmakers who feel the administration may be deceiving the public regarding the nature of the relationship between Tren de Aragua and the Nocolás Maduro regime. Texas Representative Joaquin Castro pointed out that evidence does not support claims of a strong connection between the gang and the Venezuelan government.

In summary, the declassified memo highlights significant contradictions between U.S. intelligence assessments and the Trump administration’s claims regarding the Tren de Aragua gang and its ties to the Venezuelan government. The situation is complicated further by various perspectives within the intelligence community and ongoing political ramifications.

In conclusion, the intelligence memo challenges the Trump administration’s narrative regarding the Tren de Aragua gang and its supposed ties to the Venezuelan government. While some connections appear to exist, the details reveal a more nuanced relationship characterized by both cooperation and conflict. The ensuing debate underscores the complexities of foreign criminal influences and the political dynamics at play. As Democratic lawmakers voice concerns about misleading information, the ramifications of the administration’s stance continue to unfold.

Original Source: www.nbcnews.com

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