This Wednesday, the United States declared Tren de Aragua a global terrorist organization, according to a notice from the Federal Register. The measure will become official on Thursday, February 20, exactly one month before Donald Trump assumes the presidency again.
Other Gangs Also Designated as Terrorist Organizations
Alongside Tren de Aragua, the U.S. government also added Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) from El Salvador and several Mexican cartels to the list of terrorist groups, including:
- Sinaloa Cartel
- Jalisco New Generation Cartel
- Northeast Cartel
- Gulf Cartel
- United Cartels
- La Nueva Familia Michoacana
Trump Tightens His Policy Against Organized Crime
The decision is part of Donald Trump’s hardline policy against illegal immigration. The president has made it clear that he intends to deport migrants involved in criminal activities.
Trump has repeatedly called Tren de Aragua a threat to national security. According to him, the gang has caused serious problems in the United States, especially in Colorado, where many of its members have been arrested.
Before returning to the White House, the president asked his officials to assess whether this gang and the cartels should be considered terrorist organizations due to their impact on national security.
What Does This Designation Mean?
When the U.S. declares an organization as terrorist, the government gains legal tools to cripple its financial structure. This can include:
- Economic sanctions
- Asset freezes
- Visa revocations
- Other legal restrictions
It is still unclear how much this decision will impact Tren de Aragua. To know the details, we will have to wait for the official publication in the Federal Register this Thursday.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings