U.S. Intelligence Memo Contradicts Trump on Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua

A declassified U.S. intelligence memo contradicts President Trump’s claims that the Venezuelan government controls the Tren de Aragua gang. While the Maduro regime permits gang operations, it is not directing them in the United States. This memo raises questions about the administration’s narrative regarding immigration enforcement and media integrity.

A recently declassified memo from U.S. intelligence agencies undermines President Donald Trump’s assertions linking the Venezuelan government to the Tren de Aragua gang. The memo, from the National Intelligence Council, clarifies that while Nicolás Maduro’s regime allows criminal activities to flourish, it does not actively control or orchestrate Tren de Aragua’s operations in the United States. This memo comes at a significant moment, given Trump’s use of it to justify deporting immigrants to an El Salvador prison.

The intelligence document, dated April 7, emphasizes that although Venezuela provides a permissive environment for Tren de Aragua, the Maduro administration is not collaborating with the gang. The precise wording states, “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.” This memo was released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, following a Freedom of Information Act request.

Trump invoked a historical law, the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, asserting that the Tren de Aragua posed an invasion threat, a claim that has stirred significant debate. In his proclamation, Trump has insisted that the gang operates with the direct guidance of the Maduro regime. The law has been used to expedite the deportation of Venezuelans and others to a prison infamous for its severe conditions.

The intelligence community’s evaluation of Tren de Aragua is based on instances of Venezuelan law enforcement treating the gang as a nuisance rather than an ally. Specifically, it highlighted a mix of cooperation and confrontation between the gang and the government, describing this relationship as complex. The memo further indicates that establishing a direct relationship would be logistically challenging due to Tren de Aragua’s decentralized structure.

Interestingly, while the FBI analysts generally concurred with the broader intelligence conclusions, they did note some Venezuelan officials might be facilitating gang members’ migration to the U.S. and utilizing them in other countries as proxies. This nuanced view complicates the overall narrative surrounding the gang’s connection to the Maduro government.

The Washington Post and The New York Times have both offered critical reports on the memo’s implications. Reactions from the Trump administration have included accusations of misleading media reporting and threats of investigating leaks to the press that were seen as detrimental to national security. The Justice Department cited these media reports as a reason to roll back standards protecting journalists.

Lauren Harper from the Freedom of the Press Foundation criticized the administration’s assertions about the memo’s potential dangers to public safety, remarking, “The Trump administration claimed that the leak of this memo was so dangerous that it necessitated opening criminal investigations.” She insists that the memo’s revelations challenge the narrative and support the necessity for public access to such information.

Countering these statements, Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence, accused the media of manipulating intelligence assessments to undermine Trump’s safety policies. Despite questions from members of Congress regarding the accuracy of the connections between the gang and the Venezuelan government, Gabbard maintained that allegations of illegal actions by immigrants continue to inspire media narratives that oppose the President’s efforts to protect citizens.

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, argued through an op-ed that whether Tren de Aragua acts under Maduro’s orders or not is irrelevant, as the Venezuelan regime has still fostered its growth. He stated, “It has killed on behalf of a hostile foreign government, that government has fostered its growth, and that government has encouraged it to invade the United States to advance its interests.” Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns that the Trump administration may be misrepresenting the relationship between the gang and the Venezuelan government, stating that evidence points towards a lack of direct ties.

In summary, the declassified memo from U.S. intelligence agencies debunks President Trump’s claims linking Venezuela’s Maduro government to control over the Tren de Aragua gang. While the gang operates in a permissive environment, the regime is not orchestrating its activities in the United States. This situation raises critical questions regarding the administration’s narrative on immigration and safety, as well as the implications for media reporting and governmental transparency in these matters.

Original Source: www.nbcnews.com