Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) have spearheaded an effort urging President Joe Biden to formally designate the Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization. In a letter signed by a group of colleagues, they emphasized the urgent need to address the brutal activities of this criminal group.

According to Senator Rubio, "Tren de Aragua is an invading criminal army from a prison in Venezuela that has spread their brutality and chaos to U.S. cities and small towns." The letter highlights the wide range of criminal activities perpetrated by the organization, including murders, drug trafficking, human trafficking, sex crimes, extortion, and kidnapping.

Joining Rubio and Salazar in this call to action were several other senators and representatives, including Bill Cassidy, Shelley Moore Capito, Chuck Grassley, Rick Scott, Tim Scott, and John Cornyn, among others. The group stressed the importance of designating Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization to mobilize national awareness and deploy necessary resources to combat the escalating crime and violence caused by the group.

The letter addressed to President Biden expresses concern over the devastating impact of Tren de Aragua's operations in countries like Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, where they have brought chaos and instability. The signatories emphasized the need to prevent the spread of violence and criminality within the United States by taking decisive action against the Tren de Aragua.

The letter concluded with a plea to stop the heinous crimes committed by the organization, such as rapes and murders, by sending a clear message that their reign of terror will not be tolerated. The lawmakers underscored the importance of standing united against transnational organized crime and protecting communities from such threats.

The call to designate Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization highlights the seriousness of the situation and the need for swift and decisive action to address the threats posed by this criminal group.