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After stating that Nicolás Maduro was lying about the acceptance of deportations, the United States government resumed sending Venezuelans to the Guantanamo naval base, claiming they are allegedly connected to the criminal gang Tren de Aragua.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the operation and defended the measure as part of its efforts to combat transnational crime, as reported by the channel Univisión.
The DHS spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, stated on Friday that "yesterday, DHS once again sent dangerous gang members and illegal immigrants outside U.S. soil, to Guantanamo Bay."
However, he did not specify how many people were transferred.
According to a report from The New York Times, approximately 20 individuals were sent on a charter flight from El Paso, Texas, to the naval base.
This transfer comes after the detention center in Guantánamo was emptied in the middle of the month, when 40 migrants were relocated to a detention center in Louisiana. However, U.S. authorities had already indicated that they did not rule out new transfers of immigrants to that portion of eastern Cuba.
The U.S. government has classified these migrants as members of a criminal organization, but so far has not presented conclusive evidence regarding the established presence of the Tren de Aragua in U.S. territory.
Defense attorneys have reported that many immigrants have been recorded without solid evidence, relying solely on interrogations about their tattoos, which have been used in immigration hearings to classify them as a threat to national security.
Some of the brands that officials have identified as part of the symbolism of the Tren de Aragua include crown tattoos, phrases like "real until death," flowers, and the silhouette of Michael Jordan.
However, former Venezuelan intelligence officials have claimed that the gang did not have an established system of tattoos while operating in their home country.
The U.S. administration has invoked the Foreign Enemies Act of 1978 to justify these transfers, arguing that the presence of the Tren de Aragua in the U.S. constitutes a criminal invasion.
This law grants widespread powers to the government to deport foreigners without the need for a conventional immigration judicial process.
As part of this strategy, more than 200 Venezuelans have been sent to the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador, a maximum-security prison built for members of MS-13 and Barrio 18 gangs.
However, this application has generated controversy. Federal Judge James Boasberg ordered to suspend deportations under this legal framework and return migrants to the U.S., although the administration has questioned the validity of the court order and has until next Tuesday to justify its actions before the court.
The Brennan Center for Justice has deemed the use of this law an unprecedented abuse of power, stating that "summary detentions and deportations under this law contradict contemporary understanding of equality in protections and due process."
From Caracas, the government of Nicolás Maduro has described the deportation of Venezuelans to El Salvador as a "kidnapping" and has announced the hiring of lawyers to facilitate the return of the migrants to their country.
The Minister of Interior and Justice, Diosdado Cabello, stated that of all the deportees, only 18 had criminal records in Venezuela, denying that any of them are members of the Tren de Aragua.
On its part, Washington accuses Caracas of lying about the admission of deportees, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the South American country must welcome its citizens back and that this is not a matter for debate.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Venezuelans to Guantánamo and the Tren de Aragua
Why is the United States sending Venezuelans to Guantánamo?
The United States has begun sending Venezuelans to Guantánamo, accusing them of being linked to the criminal gang Tren de Aragua. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) justifies this measure as part of its efforts to combat transnational crime. Despite these accusations, conclusive evidence regarding the presence of Tren de Aragua in U.S. territory has not been presented, leading to criticism and controversy.
What is the Tren de Aragua and what is its relevance in this context?
The Aragua Train is a Venezuelan criminal organization that originated in a prison in the state of Aragua. Over time, it has expanded to other regions and is accused of criminal activities in Latin America and the United States. In the current context, the U.S. government has linked several Venezuelan immigrants to this gang, which has led to their deportation to Guantanamo. However, these accusations have been challenged due to a lack of solid evidence.
What arguments have been presented against the deportation of Venezuelans to Guantánamo?
Defense attorneys and human rights organizations have argued that those detained are being linked to the Tren de Aragua without solid evidence. The accusations are largely based on tattoos considered part of the gang's symbolism. Furthermore, there have been reports of a lack of access to proper legal counsel and due process for the detainees, leading to legal claims against the U.S. government.
How has Venezuela reacted to these deportations?
The government of Nicolás Maduro has described the deportation of Venezuelans to Guantánamo as a "kidnapping." It has announced that it will hire lawyers to manage the return of migrants to Venezuela. Furthermore, it has refused to acknowledge that the deportees are members of the Tren de Aragua, stating that only 18 of the deportees had criminal records in Venezuela.
What measures has the United States taken to justify these deportations?
The United States has invoked the Foreign Enemies Act of 1978 to justify sending Venezuelans to Guantanamo. This law allows the government to deport foreigners without a conventional immigration judicial process, arguing that the presence of the Tren de Aragua in the U.S. poses a threat to national security. However, this application of the law has been criticized by civil rights organizations as an abuse of power.
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