Trump vows to impose 'secondary' tariff on Venezuela

WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump announced Monday that he will be imposing what he called a "secondary" tariff on Venezuela over allegations that Caracas covertly sent tens of thousands of gang members to the US.

Trump said Venezuela "has been very hostile to the United States," and has sent "tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals, many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature" to the US, including members of the Tren de Aragua street gang. Trump in January designated the group as a terrorist organization.

"The United States of America will be putting what is known as a Secondary Tariff on the Country of Venezuela, for numerous reasons, including the fact that Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals, many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature," Trump wrote on his social media network.

"Among the gangs they sent to the United States, is Tren de Aragua, which has been given the designation of 'Foreign Terrorist Organization.' We are in the process of returning them to Venezuela — It is a big task!" he added

Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on any nation that purchases oil or gas from Venezuela, saying the penalties will go into effect on April 2.