Venezuela blasts ‘illegal’ US deportations under wartime law

On March 16, 2025, a flight carrying 238 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, deported from the United States (US), arrived in El Salvador where they were taken to a high-security prison.

The Venezuela government has strongly criticised the US, for invoking a rarely deportation of alleged gang members to El Salvador, calling it illegal and a human rights violation.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the deportation despite a court order blocking it, was carried out under wartime powers from the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.

Earlier, the US government led by President Donald Trump, argued that the court had no jurisdiction to interfere with foreign affairs decisions, as stated by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The controversial move, which was swiftly blocked by a US judge, has sparked outrage from Caracas, which called it a violation of human rights.

In a statement on Sunday by Venezuela’s government, condemned the deportation, calling it anachronistic, illegal, and violation of human rights.

The statement also expressed profound indignation at reports that children as young as 14 were among those deported.

El Salvador’s presidential office has yet to comment on the situation.

It is still unclear what charges the alleged gang members will face in the country or whether minors were included in the deportation.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the country had received 238 alleged members of Tren de Aragua.

They were immediately transferred to a terrorism detention centre, where they will be held for a year, subject to renewal.

According to an internal memo, Bukele also revealed that the US would pay El Salvador $6 million for the arrangement.

However, he suggested that the financial burden on El Salvador would be far greater.

The United States will pay a very low fee for them, but a high one for us,” he added.

Additionally, El Salvador has deported 23 members of the Salvadoran gang MS-13 as part of its own crackdown on organized crime.

Venezuela has called on the international community, particularly the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), to take action against what it described as a dangerous precedent for the region.

Facts about Tren de Aragua gang

Tren de Aragua is a transnational criminal gang that originated in Venezuela’s Tocorón prison during the early 2000s.

According to report, it started as an extortion network among inmates but quickly expanded into a large-scale criminal syndicate.

The gang extended its influence across Latin America, including Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and now the U.S.

Criminal Activities

Tren de Aragua is actively involved in various criminal operations across different countries in Latin America.

They control migrant routes from Venezuela, charging high fees and exploiting vulnerable refugees.

The gang plays a significant role in the cocaine trade, smuggling drugs across multiple South American regions.

Businesses and individuals are often victims of kidnapping, extortion, and forced to pay protection fees.

The group is said to engage in illegal gold mining and arms trafficking, operating in Venezuela’s resource-rich territories.

International Expansion

Venezuela’s economic crisis forced many gang members to migrate, spreading their network across Latin America.

Countries with large Venezuelan migrant populations have struggled to contain the group’s growing criminal activities.

Authorities have faced challenges due to the gang’s ability to operate in secretive and well-organized cells.

The gang extended its influence across Latin America, including Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and now the U.S.

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