Duval Times

Tren de Aragua is a well-known criminal organization that originated in the prisons of Venezuela and has extended throughout the hemisphere. This transnational criminal group has been involved in murders, executions, bribery schemes, drug trafficking, kidnappings, sex crimes, ransoms, arms trafficking, and money laundering.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement welcoming the Treasury Department’s decision to sanction Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization.

“Our local communities continue to face the consequences of President Biden’s open border policy, which has enabled Tren de Aragua mercenaries to wreak havoc across the U.S. On repeated occasions, I demanded the Biden Administration designate this criminal organization for what it truly is. While this decision took longer than necessary, this designation is an important step,” said Senator Rubio.

Earlier this year, Rubio and Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) led a bicameral letter to President Joe Biden urging him to designate Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization.

In April 2024, Rubio questioned Biden Administration officials on Tren de Aragua and Hezbollah’s influence on Chile. Additionally, he delivered remarks at a hearing on countering transnational criminal networks in the hemisphere.

In March 2024, FBI Director confirmed “dangerous threats that emanate from border.” During the same month, Rubio called for federal resources against Tren de Aragua and joined Salazar and colleagues in urging President Biden to designate Tren de Aragua as a Transnational Criminal Organization.

In September 2022, Rubio criticized perceived Democrat hypocrisy regarding violent criminals entering the U.S.