Trinidad and Tobago’s government will adopt U.S. policies labeling the Tren De Aragua gang as a terrorist organization, despite lacking concrete evidence. Prime Minister Young announced this decision after meetings with U.S. officials. He also dismissed false claims about Venezuelan migrants being registered to vote, clarifying their humanitarian registration status without voting rights.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has established its commitment to adopt the United States’ counterterrorism policy concerning the Tren De Aragua gang, as announced by Prime Minister Stuart Young during a recent post-cabinet media conference. This decision stems from discussions held during a bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 26 in Kingston, Jamaica, where the Prime Minister confirmed efforts to label the gang as a terrorist organization.
Although the government lacks evidence of Tren De Aragua’s operations within Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Young stated that legal measures would be pursued to designate the gang officially as a terrorist entity. Such actions will involve court proceedings substantiated by evidence pertaining to the gang’s activities, asserting the government’s proactive stance in handling potential threats.
Tren De Aragua originated over a decade ago from a notorious prison in Venezuela’s Aragua state, having garnered notoriety as countless Venezuelans fled severe political and economic crises. The gang’s influence has expanded across parts of the United States and Latin America, with former President Donald Trump previously classifying it as a terrorist organization under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
In additional remarks, Young addressed rumors regarding the registration of Venezuelan migrants for voting purposes in the upcoming April 28 general election, categorically denying these allegations. He dismissed the notion that the Elections and Boundaries Commission was facilitating such a process, labeling it as “misleading, fake and false information”.
Moreover, Young clarified that a decision made in April 2019 prohibited the votes of Venezuelan migrants, reiterating that their registration merely served humanitarian purposes and conferred no legal rights equivalent to residency. The government intends to continue providing assistance to migrants, extending registration periods as necessary and allowing naturalized citizens, such as those married to Trinidad and Tobago nationals, to engage fully with citizenship rights, subject to immigration evaluation.
In conclusion, Trinidad and Tobago’s government is taking decisive action against the Tren De Aragua gang by adopting U.S. counterterrorism policies and pursuing a legal definition of the gang as a terrorist organization. Furthermore, the administration has actively refuted claims regarding migrant voter registration, clarifying the humanitarian basis of their assistance. As the country navigates these challenges, the government’s strategies reflect a commitment to national security and the management of migrant affairs responsibly.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
