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British man's tattoo mistakenly linked to Venezuelan crime gang

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By Noah Newsroom

Sunday, 13 April 2025 12:09AM UTC

Pete Belton was astonished to find his tattoo featured in US government documents concerning the Tren de Aragua crime organisation.

A British man, identified as Pete Belton, has expressed astonishment upon discovering that a picture of one of his tattoos was mistakenly included in United States government documentation related to identifying symbols associated with the Tren de Aragua crime organisation in Venezuela. The revelation came to light when Belton, 44, encountered the image while reviewing files from the US Department of Homeland Security that catalogue various symbols employed by the gang.

The document in question details numerous tattoo symbols that are reportedly linked to Tren de Aragua, which has gained notoriety for its criminal activities across Venezuela and beyond. Among the symbols listed are variations of trains, crowns, and a representation of the famous Michael Jordan ‘Jumpman’ logo.

Initially, Belton described his reaction to the inclusion of his tattoo in this serious context as amusing. However, as he delved deeper into understanding the operation and the extent of the gang's activities, his sentiments shifted to concern. "It was a bit funny at first, then became quite frightening as we learned more about the gangs and what they were doing," he told the BBC.

Under the administration of former President Donald Trump, the Tren de Aragua group was notably designated as a ‘foreign terrorist organisation’. This classification led to significant enforcement actions, with claims of deporting hundreds of individuals purported to be affiliated with the organisation.

The incident highlights not only the complexities of misidentification but also the broader implications of government surveillance and recording of gang-related symbols, showcasing a unique intersection of personal identity and international criminal classification.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-admin-doc-on-identifying-venezuelan-gang-members-features-random-brit-tourists-tattoo/ - This article reports on how Pete Belton's tattoo was mistakenly included in a US government guide for identifying Tren de Aragua gang members. It highlights Belton's initial amusement turning to concern due to the gang's activities.
https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/british-tattoo-homeland-security-b2732295.html - The Independent confirms that Pete Belton's tattoo was wrongly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang in a US Department of Homeland Security document, despite his lack of connection to the group.
https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/documents/report_volume5.pdf - Although this document doesn't specifically mention the Tren de Aragua case, it pertains to broader concerns about security and intelligence, referencing the challenges and complexities of identifying and addressing criminal or terrorist organizations.
https://mcac.maryland.gov/2025/04/british-mans-tattoo-wrongly-linked-to-venezuelan-gang-in-us-government-document/ - This reports Pete Belton's reaction to finding his tattoo in a US government document related to the Tren de Aragua gang, highlighting his growing concern about potential implications.
https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1457525/texas-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf - While not directly related to the specific case of Pete Belton or the Tren de Aragua gang, this document provides insight into legal procedures that could be relevant to cases involving misidentification or gang affiliation.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative does not reference specific outdated information, but the context involves a past administration (Trump) and does not indicate whether the situation has been recently resolved.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: The quote from Pete Belton is attributed to an interview with the BBC, but the specific date of the quote is not provided.

Source reliability

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative originates from The Independent, a well-known reputable publication, and cites an interview with the BBC.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims seem plausible, considering the complexities of government documentation and potential misidentifications.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative appears to be current and well-sourced, with clear references and plausible claims. However, the freshness of the specific incident could not be fully verified due to lack of recent updates regarding the resolution of the situation.

tattoos
Tren de Aragua
crime organisations