Migrant gang being used as terrorism tool of Venezuelan government, warns former military officer

A former high-ranking Venezuelan military officer is raising concerns about the migrant gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) being used by the Venezuelan government to spread violence and discord in the United States. Tren de Aragua, which translates to “Train from Aragua,” is a large criminal and terrorist organization that originated in a Venezuelan prison and has now infiltrated more than 30 major U.S. cities.

José Gustavo Arocha, a former lieutenant colonel in the Venezuelan army, has revealed that socialist Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is behind the rapid growth and expansion of TdA, first in Latin America and now in the U.S. Arocha fled Venezuela to the United States in 2015 after being imprisoned by the Maduro regime for eight months. He believes that Maduro has been using TdA as a tool to sow chaos and further his own agenda.

Arocha explained that the Maduro regime’s counterintelligence agency, the Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM), is utilizing TdA as a form of asymmetrical warfare, allowing the government to distance itself from the group’s actions. Tren de Aragua made its presence known in the U.S. when members violently took control of an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado, and has since been linked to various violent attacks and criminal activities, including the murder of nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia.

While some may view TdA as just a gang, Arocha emphasized that the group has been trained and supported by the Venezuelan government to advance a specific criminal ideology. He highlighted that the name “Train from Aragua” signifies the group’s intent to spread its influence throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Arocha also pointed out that the Venezuelan government has used TdA to create crime waves in neighboring countries, contributing to the rise of socialist-friendly governments in Colombia, Peru, and Chile. With the historic migrant crisis under the Biden administration, Maduro saw an opportunity to establish a foothold in the U.S., especially with the temporary lifting of oil sanctions against his regime.

Arocha stressed the importance of addressing the threat posed by Tren de Aragua, urging President-elect Donald Trump to prioritize dismantling the organization. While securing the southern border is crucial, Arocha warned that TdA will resurface if Maduro is not contained. He emphasized the need to combat the root cause of TdA, which lies in the behavior of the Maduro regime.

In conclusion, Arocha emphasized the necessity of preventing Maduro from continuing his reign in Venezuela and urged for measures to disrupt the funding and resources that support TdA. It is essential to address this threat to ensure the safety and security of the American people.