In a controversial move, the United States has deported 238 Venezuelans alleged to be part of a notorious criminal organization known as Tren de Aragua. The deportees have been sent to the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in Tecoluca, El Salvador. This development comes after the US designated Tren de Aragua, along with the Salvadoran MS-13 gang, as foreign terrorist organizations earlier this year. However, the White House has not presented any concrete evidence linking the deported individuals to the criminal group.
Tren de Aragua is a group that has been linked to various criminal activities in Venezuela, including human trafficking, money laundering, drug smuggling, and other crimes. The US government's designation of the organization as a terrorist group underscores its serious concerns about its alleged involvement in these illicit activities. Despite these allegations, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has strongly opposed the deportation, arguing that the individuals were not given due process.
Maduro has accused both the United States and El Salvador of violating the rights of these Venezuelans. He insists that the deportees were not given a fair trial or the right to defend themselves.
"They were not brought to trial, they were not given the right to a defense, the right to due process, they were deceived, handcuffed, put on a plane, kidnapped, and sent to a concentration camp in El Salvador." – Nicolás Maduro
The Venezuelan leader has also called upon Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to release those detained at CECOT and return them to Venezuela.
"Nayib Bukele should not be an accomplice to this kidnapping, because our boys did not commit any crime in the United States, none." – Nicolás Maduro
President Maduro further emphasized his intention to bring back all detained migrants, promising them respect and dignity upon their return.
"We are going to return all migrants who have been detained to give them respect, dignity, support, and to return to their homeland and their families." – Nicolás Maduro
Despite these assertions, the US government remains firm in its stance against Tren de Aragua. The organization is alleged to have a significant presence in Venezuela and is implicated in various criminal enterprises extending beyond its borders.
Public sentiment in Venezuela appears to echo Maduro's call for action. The president expressed gratitude for the support shown by millions of Venezuelans who are rallying behind the families of those deported.
"I celebrate that millions of men and women from Venezuela have come out to support the families of these young Venezuelans with their signatures, to officially demand that the Government of El Salvador free them from this kidnapping, not subject them to humiliation, and return them to us sooner rather than later." – Nicolás Maduro
