Tren de Aragua used as proxies by Venezuelan government to undermine US public safety, FBI assessment finds
Fox News Digital has obtained exclusive information from the FBI, revealing that Venezuelan government officials are aiding in the migration of members of the violent gang Tren de Aragua from Venezuela to the United States. This assistance is believed to be part of the Maduro regime’s efforts to undermine public safety in the U.S.
According to the FBI’s intelligence assessment, some Venezuelan government officials are using Tren de Aragua members as proxies to destabilize neighboring countries such as Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and the United States. The FBI believes that this demonstrates President Nicolás Maduro’s willingness to violate the sovereignty of Venezuela’s neighbors to advance his regime’s objectives.
In the next six to 18 months, the FBI anticipates that Venezuelan government officials will utilize Tren de Aragua members in the United States to threaten, abduct, and even kill vocal critics of Maduro and his regime within the Venezuelan diaspora. This is expected to be part of a broader strategy to expand similar activities throughout South America.
President Donald Trump has designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, along with other migrant gangs present in the U.S. The Trump administration has taken a strong stance against these criminal organizations, with a focus on protecting American communities from their violent activities.
A senior administration official emphasized the need to address the threat posed by Tren de Aragua and other violent gangs associated with the Maduro regime. The official highlighted the deteriorating situation in Venezuela under Maduro’s leadership, which has led to economic collapse and increased violence.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) also provided insights into Tren de Aragua’s relationship with the Venezuelan government. The ODNI assesses that Tren de Aragua leaders have benefited from the conditions created by the Venezuelan government, which has provided sanctuary for the gang and enabled their criminal activities against the United States.
Despite conflicting reports from anonymous sources, the ODNI stands by its assessment that the Venezuelan government is actively supporting Tren de Aragua and other criminal organizations. The ODNI official criticized the leaking of classified intelligence to undermine President Trump’s agenda, calling it an assault on democracy.
In response to the threat posed by Tren de Aragua, the Trump administration has filed racketeering charges against alleged members of the gang in New York. This marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to dismantle Tren de Aragua and eliminate the influence of transnational criminal organizations in the U.S.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the severity of Tren de Aragua’s activities, describing the gang as a terrorist organization that has spread violence, human trafficking, and drugs throughout American communities. The Justice Department’s nationwide initiative, “Operation Take Back America,” aims to combat illegal immigration and protect communities from violent crime.
The charges filed against 27 alleged Tren de Aragua members include human smuggling, sex trafficking, and murder. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is working to disrupt the gang’s infrastructure and purge it from the country.
The Trump administration remains committed to safeguarding American communities from the threats posed by violent gangs associated with the Maduro regime. By targeting criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua, the government is taking decisive action to protect national security and uphold the rule of law.
