Venezuela Condemns U.S. Use of Wartime Law to Deport Alleged Gang Members to El Salvador

Venezuela’s government has strongly criticized the United States for invoking a rarely used wartime law to deport over 200 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to El Salvador. The move, which was swiftly blocked by a U.S. judge, has sparked outrage from Caracas, which denounced the action as illegal and a violation of human rights. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Venezuelan government expressed its “profound indignation” at the potential deportation of minors, including 14-year-old children, calling the measure a form of “kidnapping.”

The U.S. government’s decision to apply the wartime law, which allows for the deportation of individuals deemed a threat to national security, has raised questions about the legal and ethical implications of such actions. Venezuela’s statement emphasized its rejection of what it described as an “anachronistic law” and called on the international community, particularly the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), to oppose what it termed a “dangerous precedent” for the region.

El Salvador’s government, led by President Nayib Bukele, confirmed the arrival of the first group of 238 alleged Tren de Aragua members in a post on X (formerly Twitter) early Sunday. Bukele stated that the individuals had been transferred to a terrorism detention center, where they would be held for one year, with the possibility of extending their detention. However, the Salvadoran presidential office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the charges faced by the alleged gang members or whether minors were among the group.

The deportation arrangement came to light after the Associated Press reported on an internal memo revealing that the U.S. would pay El Salvador $6 million for accepting the alleged gang members. Bukele defended the agreement in his post, stating, “The United States will pay a very low fee for them, but a high one for us,” while also noting that El Salvador had sent 23 members of the notorious Salvadoran gang MS-13 to the U.S. in return.

Venezuela’s government has framed the U.S. action as part of a broader pattern of targeting migrants and undermining the rights of Venezuelan citizens. The statement urged regional and international organizations to mobilize against what it described as a violation of human rights and a threat to the sovereignty of Latin American nations. The Venezuelan administration also accused the U.S. of using its influence to pressure other countries into accepting individuals without due process.

The controversy highlights the complex dynamics of regional security and migration policies in Latin America. Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal organization, has been linked to a range of violent crimes, including human trafficking, extortion, and drug smuggling. Its expansion across the region has raised concerns among governments, prompting efforts to combat its influence. However, Venezuela’s government has dismissed the allegations against the deported individuals, framing the U.S. action as politically motivated.

The use of a wartime law to facilitate deportations has drawn scrutiny from human rights advocates, who warn that such measures could set a troubling precedent for the treatment of migrants and asylum-seekers. Critics argue that the arrangement between the U.S. and El Salvador risks bypassing legal protections and due process, particularly for vulnerable groups such as minors.

As tensions escalate, the situation underscores the challenges of addressing transnational crime while upholding human rights and international law. Venezuela’s call for regional solidarity against the U.S. action reflects broader concerns about sovereignty and the treatment of migrants in Latin America. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for regional cooperation and the future of migration policies in the Americas.