“These actors, in their eagerness to attack peace and democratic institutions, resorted to manipulating these criminal structures for political purposes, exposing the population to criminal actions that were confronted and eradicated by the Venezuelan state,” the statement highlights.

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Venezuelan Far Right, Aragua Train, and the U.S. Are Linked: Minister Cabello

The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has issued a statement in response to the decision by United States authorities to designate various organizations, including the defunct Tren de Aragua, as “terrorist.” Tren de Aragua was a criminal structure dismantled in Venezuela thanks to the firm and sustained actions of the country’s security forces and justice system.

In the statement, Venezuela asserts that Tren de Aragua was, at one point, instrumentalized by foreign agencies, such as the FBI and DEA, for terrorist and destabilizing purposes against the institutions of the Venezuelan state. Additionally, the criminal group was allegedly used by sectors of the Venezuelan far-right to generate chaos, destabilization, and violence in the country.

“These actors, in their eagerness to attack peace and democratic institutions, resorted to manipulating these criminal structures for political purposes, exposing the population to criminal actions that were confronted and eradicated by the Venezuelan state,” the statement highlights.

The Venezuelan government also took the opportunity to announce the repatriation of a group of compatriots who had been unjustly taken to the Guantánamo naval base. As part of the Plan Vuelta a la Patria (Return to the Homeland Plan), Venezuela requested the repatriation of these citizens, and the request was accepted.

The Venezuelans were transferred to Honduras, from where they will be retrieved by Conviasa aircraft and brought back to the country to reunite with their families.

“Venezuela expresses its gratitude to President Xiomara Castro and former President Manuel Zelaya for all the collaboration provided in the rescue of these compatriots,” the statement notes.

Finally, the Venezuelan government reiterated its commitment to combating terrorism and criminal organizations of any kind, while denouncing the manipulation of these elements for political purposes. “Venezuela rejects any attempt to criminalize the nation and reaffirms its commitment to peace, justice, and national sovereignty,” the statement concludes.

This communiqué reflects the Venezuelan government’s stance against international accusations and its efforts to ensure the well-being of its citizens, while reaffirming its rejection of any form of external interference in its internal affairs.

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