Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Rick Scott, along with Senator Marco Rubio, Representative María Elvira Salazar, and a group of colleagues, have urged President Joe Biden to officially designate the notorious Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization. The group of lawmakers emphasized the urgent need for action against the criminal group, which has a history of violence and criminal activities spanning across multiple countries.

In a letter addressed to President Biden, the senators and representatives highlighted the grave threat posed by Tren de Aragua, describing it as an "invading criminal army" that has brought chaos and brutality to communities not only in Venezuela but also in the United States. They stressed the importance of recognizing and addressing the severe impact of Tren de Aragua's operations on peace, stability, and national security.

The letter stated, "How many more innocent victims will have to suffer before we fully recognize and address the grave threat Tren de Aragua gang members cause to the peace, stability, and the national security of our nation?" The lawmakers pointed out the extensive range of criminal activities conducted by Tren de Aragua, including murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking, sex crimes, extortion, and kidnapping.

The group of senators and representatives also detailed the disruptive and destructive influence of Tren de Aragua in various countries in Central and South America, highlighting the devastation and fear it has instilled in communities in Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. They warned that failure to designate Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization would only lead to further expansion of its criminal operations, resulting in increased violence and criminality within the United States.

The lawmakers concluded their letter with a call to action, stating, "By designating the Tren de Aragua as a TCO, we will send a clear message that its reign of terror will not be tolerated, and that we will stand united in our resolve to protect our communities from the scourge of transnational organized crime. The time to act is now."

The plea from Senator Rick Scott, Senator Marco Rubio, Representative María Elvira Salazar, and their colleagues underscores the pressing need for decisive measures to combat the threat posed by Tren de Aragua and safeguard communities from its violent activities.