Venezuelan Minister Denies Deportee Connection to Tren de Aragua Gang
Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claims no deportees from the U.S. are Tren de Aragua gang members. The Trump administration deported over 200 Venezuelans under a wartime law, citing U.S. security concerns. Cabello contests these claims, stating the gang no longer exists, while the U.S. faces legal scrutiny over the rapid deportation process.
On Friday, Venezuela’s Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, stated that none of the Venezuelans deported by the United States to a prison in El Salvador are members of the Tren de Aragua gang. He emphasized his claims by stating, “I believe with absolute responsibility that not a single one appears on the organizational chart of the now-extinct Tren de Aragua organization.” Cabello mentioned he procured the deportees’ names through both U.S. media and other sources.
The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump’s authority, utilized a specific wartime law to expedite the deportation of individuals labeled as gang members, which the administration has identified as a terrorist group. Despite legal opposition, over 200 Venezuelans were deported, with at least 137 returned under this wartime provision to be held in an expansive anti-terrorism prison in El Salvador.
Amid concerns, families and attorneys have expressed their frustrations regarding the inability to gather information about their relatives and clients after the deportations. Cabello argued that the Tren de Aragua gang was dismantled in 2023, asserting that the belief in its continued operation is rooted solely in claims from the political opposition, stating, “It is a lie, a massive lie, and we have the means to prove it.”
The gang has been implicated in numerous criminal activities, including human trafficking and contract killings, and has reportedly extended its reach into the U.S. over the past decade amid a significant migration crisis from Venezuela. The Trump administration faces a judicial deadline to provide clarity on the deportations, as a judge had mandated that deportees should have their flights reversed.
Cabello disclosed that from 920 migrants returned via multiple flights since February, only 16 currently face legal proceedings in Venezuela. The diplomatic friction over the deportation flights has heightened tensions between Caracas and Washington, with accusations flying regarding misrepresentations about the flights.
On another note, Canada recently imposed sanctions on eight senior Venezuelan officials due to human rights abuses and actions that undermine democracy. In response, the Venezuelan government condemned the sanctions as “ridiculous” and accused Canada of aligning itself with U.S. interests.
In summary, Venezuelan authorities, led by Minister Diosdado Cabello, assert that none of the deported individuals are affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, despite U.S. claims to the contrary. The deportations have sparked public concern among families and lawyers regarding the fate of those affected. Moreover, escalating diplomatic tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. persist, compounded by Canada’s recent sanctions targeting high-ranking Venezuelan officials.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
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