The strategic importance of designating Tren de Aragua a terrorist organization
The statement — supported by the U.S., Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama and Paraguay — requests that OAS member states consider designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, or to adopt equivalent legal frameworks that allow for greater prosecution capacity, asset freezes and enforcement actions.
Tren de Aragua, which began in a Venezuelan state prison around 2014, is today one of the most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the Americas. The group has rapidly expanded its operations into neighboring countries and beyond, leaving a trail of violence, exploitation and suffering.
It operates as a highly organized criminal corporation, using violence and a hierarchical structure to control illicit markets, and terrorist tactics to eliminate competition and instill fear. Tren de Aragua has sown chaos, undermined local governance and endangered the lives of countless citizens.
Thriving on fear and financial gain, Tren de Aragua is estimated to have around 5,000 members, and its annual profits range between $10 million and $15 million. Their use of extreme violence, targeted assassinations and mass intimidation to maintain control and expand influence aligns with the modus operandi of terrorist organizations.
Its expansion has been swift and violent, exploiting deficient law enforcement, corruption and large migrant flows. Many nations in the region have been affected by the influence of this criminal network, which has disrupted communities in vulnerable border areas. Its operations have rapidly expanded into cities, effectively transforming into a new form of urban terrorism.
The expansion of Tren de Aragua represents a significant regional crisis. This gang engages in drug trafficking, extortion and hired killings. It utilizes terrorist tactics such as torture and public displays of violence to instill fear and maintain control. Members often disseminate graphic content on social media to intimidate both rivals and law enforcement agencies.
In April, the U.S. filed charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act against 27 members and associates of Tren de Aragua for acts committed both in America and abroad. This case showcases the need to address this pervasive threat further through coordinated international action. The recent U.S. designation of Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization marks a crucial strategic step.
First, by recognizing Tren de Aragua as a terrorist group, the U.S. gains a broader set of tools to dismantle the its financial infrastructure. Many criminal organizations rely on transnational banking systems and shadowy financial channels to launder money and fund their operations. Cutting off access to these resources will severely weaken Tren de Aragua.
Second, this move also sets the stage for enhanced regional collaboration. By highlighting the threat the group poses on the global stage, the U.S. sends a powerful message of mutually beneficial collaboration with its Latin American partners. Increased intelligence sharing, joint operations and technical assistance will help dismantle this criminal network.
Third, the U.S. designation underscores the importance of a safer region and a stronger partnership with the Americas. It is a signal that the U.S. is committed to addressing one of the primary root causes of insecurity and instability in Latin America and within the U.S. By taking a stand against Tren de Aragua, the U.S. affirms its role as a partner in building a safer, more stable region where democracy and economic opportunity can thrive.
The call for a unified response to combat Tren de Aragua across borders is critical. Together with its allies, the U.S. can champion an 'Americas-First Foreign Policy,' as suggested by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and reaffirm shared values with countries throughout the region.
This would complement other security and defense cooperation from the U.S. and make its presence and influence more important and tangible. No other global power can make a greater commitment to working in the region to ensure that groups like Tren de Aragua cannot operate with impunity.
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Immigration raid fears trigger Latino student absences, as experts warn of consequences
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Department of Justice's federal grand jury case to investigate Obama administration officials over their 2016 assessment of Russian election interference could take place in Florida, which would likely provide a more favorable legal environment for the DOJ. Attorney General Pam Bondi has authorized federal prosecutors to investigate statements and testimony from Obama administration officials regarding alleged ties between President Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia, directly targeting what Trump has long labeled the "Russia Hoax," while potentially diverting attention from renewed scrutiny over the Jeffrey Epstein files. 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U.S. attorneys have wide discretion in prioritizing cases, allocating resources, and shaping how aggressively prosecutions are pursued. Why Florida Could Host the Grand Jury Federal rules typically require grand juries to operate where the alleged criminal conduct occurred. For Florida to be the venue, one path could see prosecutors attempt to establish a jurisdictional link between the FBI actions pertaining to the Russia investigation launched under the Obama administration and the search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate for classified documents in 2022. Prosecutors might argue that actions set in motion in 2016 eventually led to conduct involving classified documents in Florida, justifying the Southern District as the location. President Donald Trump speaks with former President Barack Obama as they attend the State Funeral Service for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on January 9, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks with former President Barack Obama as they attend the State Funeral Service for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on January 9, 2025. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Who Is Jason A. Reding Quiñones? Confirmed in a 52-44 party-line Senate vote, Jason A. Reding Quiñones now leads one of the nation's busiest federal districts. Quiñones is a Miami native and the son of a Cuban political refugee. He graduated from Florida International University's law school in 2008, worked in corporate law, served as a U.S. Air Force military lawyer, and later became a Justice Department prosecutor in Miami. Despite early poor evaluations and a dropped discrimination complaint, he transitioned to the civil division and received satisfactory reviews. What People Are Saying John Solomon, columnist and journalist, told the Real America's Voice channel on Tuesday: "This is a major development. We told you last week that Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, had given permission for a strike force to begin. That's a very specific tool the Justice Department uses on major conspiracies. And we told you then we would know it was getting serious when the grand jury jumped into action. "We now know that a grand jury will be impaneled—most likely, my sources are telling me, it could be in Florida, where the raid of President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home happened." Attorney, James Burnham wrote on X on Tuesday: "All eyes on the Southern District of Florida and its newly confirmed US Attorney Jason Reding Quinones. Given various setbacks in DC during Trump 45, the extraordinarily lopsided beltway jury pool, and the factual connection to Palm Beach--SD Fla is a logical place for DOJ to pursue this incredibly high stakes grand jury investigation." X Judge Quiñones told the Miami Herald: "As the son of a Cuban political refugee and a proud Miami native, I am deeply honored by the trust and confidence that President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, and the United States Senate have placed in me. As the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, I will work tirelessly to protect the American people, restore impartial justice, and defend the rule of law without fear or favor." What Happens Next It remains unclear what charges, if any, the grand jury will consider, who will be investigated, or when proceedings will begin. The Justice Department must first formally convene the grand jury.
