PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jul 2, CMCC – The Trinidad and Tobago government says it has obtained a High Court order designating the Venezuelan-based group, Tren de Aruga, a terrorist entity under the Anti-Terrorist Act as well as under the United Nations Security Council resolution.
A statement from the Office of the Attorney General, said “this designation is a result of the government of Trinidad and Tobago’s close collaboration with our key partner, the United States of America.
“It is a significant milestone which forms part of the government’s continuing efforts to strengthen national security and protect the citizenry , uphold the rule of law and disrupt transnational organized criminal and their operations”.
The statement said that the government continues to take “decisive action against the threats posed by violent international criminal networks operating within and beyond our borders and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting national security”.
The statement said that the High Court order prohibits any dealings with Tren de Aruga, and instructs that “any property owned or controlled or indirectly and derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled, directly or indirectly by the listed entity be frozen”.
It said also that the provision of financial and any other related service, property and or support for the group is an offence under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The statement describes Tren de Aruga as an international group of foreign persons that “as committed or attempted to commit and poses a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the security of persons”.
It said that the organization originates from Venezuela with cells in North America and Latin American countries as well as having a presence in the United States.
“Due to the geographical location of Venezuela and its close proximity to Trinidad and Tobago, it was incumbent upon the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to take immediate steps and requisite measures to protect the safety and security of its nationals,” the statement noted.
It said also that as a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the government is continuing to “demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and “our obligations to implement promptly and without delay the targeted financial sanctions regime to comply with the United Nations Security Council resolution relating to the prevention and suppression of terrorism and terrorism financing”.
CMC/ag/ir/2025