White House advisor Juan González during the controversial 9th Summit of the Americas. Photo: EFE/File photo.
Juan González, former senior director for the Western Hemisphere at the US National Security Council, refuted accusations linking Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to the defunct criminal group Tren de Aragua. González, a former high-ranking Biden administration official, asserted that no evidence supports such claims.
“There is no credible evidence that Nicolás Maduro directs Tren de Aragua,” González told a Venezuelan media outlet. His comments come amid diplomatic tension and frame the situation within the political use of information. The former official added that while intelligence agencies recognize the gang’s danger, “some public narratives exaggerate its reach and use it politically.”
Accusations against President Maduro’s government have featured consistently in US foreign policy, especially during Donald Trump’s administration. Then, the US invoked the Alien Enemies Act to launch a “hunt” against Venezuelan migrants, including forced deportation.
Relations remain tense as US intelligence agencies monitor regional criminal groups, including Tren de Aragua. However, the lack of solid evidence supporting claims against President Maduro has sparked debate about their veracity and motivation.
González’s statements are significant for three reasons. First, they refute a narrative underpinning the US “maximum pressure” policy against Venezuela. His testimony suggests that some serious claims lack a factual basis, potentially influencing future foreign policy.
Second, they reinforce that information about Tren de Aragua is often politicized. This implies that migration and crime issues have been instrumentalized to justify measures or demonize opponents. González exposes how “public narratives” often deviate from demonstrated facts.
Finally, his intervention enables more fact-based dialogue between both countries. By separating facts from rhetoric, González offers a sober perspective on Venezuela’s situation and criminal groups’ reach. Unfounded accusations, he notes, escalate tensions without solving underlying problems.
(RedRadioVE) by Jhulimar Fraga
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/SF
