U.S. Intelligence Memo Contradicts Trump’s Claims on Tren de Aragua Gang
A declassified memo from U.S. intelligence disputes President Trump’s claims that Venezuela’s Maduro regime controls the Tren de Aragua gang. The memo states the regime allows gang activities without direct oversight. Trump’s arguments for intensified deportations are now challenged as the FBI presents a nuanced view of the gang’s operations. Democratic lawmakers voice concerns over the administration’s portrayal of these connections.
In a surprising turn, a declassified memo from U.S. intelligence agencies challenges President Donald Trump’s assertions that the Tren de Aragua gang is controlled by the Venezuelan government. The memo, issued by the National Intelligence Council, indicates while the Venezuelan regime under Nicolás Maduro permits gangs to operate freely, it does not directly manage Tren de Aragua’s activities in the United States. This information significantly counters Trump’s arguments for escalating deportations of immigrants linked to the gang.
The memo, released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, emphasizes that while the environment in Venezuela allows the gang to thrive, the Maduro regime is unlikely to actively collaborate with the group. According to the memo dated April 7, “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.” NBC News received a copy through the Freedom of the Press Foundation, which advocated for its public release.
Trump’s involvement with Tren de Aragua escalated after he deemed it an invading force while referencing the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Historically, this law has only been employed during wartime. The Trump administration maintained that the gang operates under Maduro’s direction. In a proclamation linked to the law, Trump stated, “TdA is undertaking hostile actions and conducting irregular warfare against the territory of the United States both directly and at the direction… of the Maduro regime in Venezuela.”
One of the major consequences of these claims is the deportation of Venezuelans and immigrants to a prison in El Salvador, known for its inhumane conditions. The memo also suggests that the intelligence community’s analysis is influenced by various factors—the Venezuelan government’s ambivalence towards Tren de Aragua, which is treated as a threat, and the gang’s decentralized nature make coordination challenging.
Interestingly, the FBI presents a nuanced perspective. While they concur with the general assessment, they suggest that certain Venezuelan officials assist gang members in migrating to the U.S. and may employ them as proxies in other countries. This highlights a complex relationship that differentiates between outright collaboration and tactical assistance in destabilizing regions, particularly in Latin America.
As reports about the memo surfaced, notably through The Washington Post and The New York Times, the Trump administration reacted sharply, describing media coverage as deceptive. The Justice Department cited these media inquiries as a rationale for revising leak investigation protocols. The Freedom of the Press Foundation’s Lauren Harper argued that the memo significantly undermines the administration’s narrative claiming danger to public safety from the leaks. She stated, “The Trump administration claimed that the leak of this memo was so dangerous… We wanted to see if that was true.”
Moreover, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, criticized media reporting as a form of manipulation aimed at undermining the president’s war on crime. She asserted that the media misrepresents intelligence findings on foreign criminal activity and the associated risks, arguing, “Illegal immigrant criminals have raped, tortured, and murdered Americans.” Gabbard indicated that there are conflicting views within the intelligence community regarding the relationship between Tren de Aragua and the Maduro regime.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted in a Fox News op-ed that whether or not Tren de Aragua acts on direct orders from the Maduro government is irrelevant because the regime still fosters the gang’s operations. He emphasized, “It has killed on behalf of a hostile foreign government.” This declaration underlines the growing bipartisan concern about the characterization of the Venezuelan government’s connection to the gang.
Democratic legislators, including Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas, have expressed skepticism about the Trump administration’s narrative, highlighting a disconnect between the facts and the presented claims. Castro noted that evidence does not support the supposed strong ties between the gang and the Maduro regime, adding to the ongoing debate about the portrayal of this situation.
In summary, a recently declassified intelligence memo contradicts President Trump’s assertions that the Venezuelan regime directly controls the Tren de Aragua gang. While the memo establishes that the Maduro government permits the gang’s activities, it emphasizes the lack of direct orchestration. The fallout from these revelations raises questions about the accuracy of official narratives surrounding immigration policy and domestic security, highlighting a significant contention between intelligence assessments and political rhetoric. Furthermore, this situation reveals broader tensions regarding media freedom and governmental transparency.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
