Mexican authorities say they arrested an alleged local leader of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang

"Tren de Aragua originated in Venezuela more than a decade ago at an infamously lawless prison with hardened criminals in the central state of Aragua. The gang has expanded in recent years as more than 7.7 million Venezuelans fled economic turmoil and migrated to other Latin American countries or the U.S. The Trump administration declared the group a terrorist organization."

"U.S. officials have consistently blamed the gang for being at the root of the violence and illicit drug dealing that plague some U.S. cities. Trump has repeated his claim contradicted by a declassified U.S. intelligence assessment that Tren de Aragua is operating under Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's control. The size of the gang is unclear. Countries with large populations of Venezuelan migrants, including Peru and Colombia, have accused the group of being behind violence in the region."

"On Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that he ordered another strike on a small boat that he accused of carrying drugs in the waters off Venezuela, expanding what the Trump administration has declared is an armed conflict with cartels. So far, at least three of the strikes have been carried out on vessels that U.S. officials said had originated from Venezuela. The strikes followed a buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean unlike any seen in recent times."

Mexican security forces arrested Nelson Arturo N, 29, identified as Tren de Aragua's leader and main operator in Mexico; he was wanted on multiple charges and Mexican law prevents release of full surnames. Tren de Aragua began over a decade ago in a lawless prison in Aragua, Venezuela, and expanded as more than 7.7 million Venezuelans fled economic turmoil. The Trump administration designated the group a terrorist organization, and U.S. officials blame it for violence and illicit drug dealing in some U.S. cities. A declassified U.S. intelligence assessment contradicts Trump's claim that the gang operates under President Nicolas Maduro's control. Peru and Colombia have accused the gang of regional violence. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he ordered another strike on a small boat off Venezuela, part of several strikes U.S. officials say originated from Venezuela following a significant Caribbean maritime buildup.

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