On Friday, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation accusing Nicolás Maduro's regime of being complicit in drug trafficking and facilitating the criminal activities of the Aragua Train gang within the United States. Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a law granting him extensive powers to act against foreign nationals deemed a threat to national security.
In the proclamation, Trump declared that the Aragua Train (TdA) is a foreign terrorist organization, responsible for waging an irregular war against the United States with support from Maduro's regime and the Cartel of the Suns, a drug trafficking network linked to high-ranking Venezuelan officials.
"The Aragua Train has infiltrated the United States through massive migration flows, destabilizing public safety and furthering the criminal objectives of Maduro's regime," Trump asserted in the official document released by the White House. As part of the declaration, he ordered the immediate detention and deportation of all Aragua Train members in the U.S. who are not citizens or legal residents. Additionally, all properties and assets connected to the criminal group are to be seized by the U.S. government.
Trump instructed the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to implement these measures within 60 days, in coordination with state and local authorities. He accused Maduro of leading a "narco-dictatorship" that employs the Aragua Train as a criminal arm to expand drug trafficking and other illegal activities across the region.
The proclamation pointed out that the expansion of TdA occurred during Tareck El Aissami's tenure as governor of Aragua (2012-2017) and later as Venezuela's vice president. El Aissami has been designated by the U.S. Treasury Department as an international drug trafficker and is currently a fugitive from American justice.
According to the proclamation, Maduro and the Cartel of the Suns have orchestrated a strategy to "flood the U.S. with drugs," using organizations like the Aragua Train to facilitate smuggling narcotics, weapons, and people across borders. Trump's announcement aligns with the designation of six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Gulf Cartel, Northeast Cartel, New Michoacan Family, and United Cartels. The Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), another transnational criminal organization, was also included.
The U.S. Department of State indicated that these groups pose an "extraordinary threat" to national security, engaging in activities such as murder, kidnapping, extortion, and trafficking of drugs and people. This declaration allows U.S. authorities to take stronger actions against these groups and impose harsher sanctions on those who collaborate with them.
Trump's declaration has prompted immediate reactions on the international stage. While some countries in the region have expressed support for measures against organized crime, the Venezuelan government labeled the proclamation as an "unfounded attack," denying any ties to drug trafficking or the Aragua Train.
Meanwhile, the Mexican government has voiced concerns over the designation of its cartels as terrorist organizations, fearing it could lead to increased U.S. intervention in the country's internal affairs.
Key Questions on Trump's Proclamation
What is the Aragua Train?
The Aragua Train is a criminal organization accused by President Trump of engaging in drug trafficking and criminal activities in the U.S. with the support of Nicolás Maduro's regime.
What powers does the Alien Enemies Act grant?
The Alien Enemies Act provides the U.S. President with broad authority to act against foreign nationals considered threats to national security.
How has the international community reacted?
The international response has been mixed, with some countries supporting the measures and others, like Venezuela, condemning them as unfounded attacks.