Read the article. I did last week.
Note its explanation of what "Chequeo" is.
For the benefit of those in the reading audience who can't be arsed to search for the article and reading it through for one single word, "Chequeo" is a 'rank' designation for someone who's not a full-fledged member, just merely trying out, auditioning.
In other words, according to the authorities he was not a member, but apparently given that he's hanging around with 'the type' or at least sporting 'the look,' he could very well be in the process of hoping to be one one day on a day that is still not yet today.
China, this bs... This backpedaling and so early is so... eh. What does Kilmar being or not being a gang member have to do with him getting deported for being an illegal alien? Trump is supposed to be deporting 12 million illegal aliens. How thafrig is deporting a few hundred fellas who are supposedly gang members going to make a dent in that?