A recent U.S. intelligence assessment has revealed that there is no coordination between Tren de Aragua, a notorious gang, and the Venezuelan government. This contradicts previous statements made by Trump administration officials to justify the deportation of Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act. The comprehensive assessment, released by the National Intelligence Council, involved input from 18 intelligence agencies and emphasized that Tren de Aragua operates independently from President Nicolás Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials. While there was some minimal contact between gang members and low-level government officials, there was no evidence of coordination.

The assessment, supported by extensive sourcing, highlighted near-unanimity among intelligence agencies, with only the FBI dissenting. This level of agreement is significant given the usual differences in assessments on complex issues. The report’s findings are particularly relevant in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing the Trump administration to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants, albeit with the requirement of court hearings.

President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have previously claimed that Tren de Aragua has infiltrated the Maduro regime, justifying their actions under the wartime law. However, the recent intelligence assessment refutes these claims. The administration has designated the gang as a “foreign terrorist organization” and deported alleged members to El Salvador without providing them the chance to contest the orders.

The release of this intelligence assessment raises questions about the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act and underscores the importance of accurate and unbiased intelligence in shaping government policies and decisions.